How about a super festive farrolicious Christmahanakwanza salad to complete your holiday meal planning?!
I made this bad boy on a whim when I was desperate to find a whole grain salad topper other than quinoa. Don’t get me wrong—I love quinoa as much as the next hipster foodie, but I wanted something that actually had flavor. Is that so rude?
I was perusing the Whole Foods bulk bins and stumbled across farro, a grain I’d heard about but never actually tried. Farro has a super nutty flavor, like the nuttiest grain I’ve ever laid mouth on (and I mean that in the most delicious way possible). I was actually taken aback by how amazing it tasted all by its lonesome. Known as the mother of all wheat, farro was an heirloom grain much adored by the ancient Romans. Some even say that it was used as a form of currency! How cool would it be if you could pay for your Christmas presents with fiberlicious whole grains?
Farro is packed with cholesterol-lowering fiber, plant-powered protein, iron, and energizing B vitamins. Just make sure you get the pearled kind that takes about 20-25 minutes to cook.
Moving on to this super salad. This was without a doubt the tastiest salad I’ve ever made. I don’t post that many salads because in all honestly, I don’t excel at making salads at home. But this….this one blew me out of the water. It’s a real stunner thanks to the gorgeous pomegranate arils and bright green arugula. It tastes even better than it looks! Sounds preposterous, I know. Believe it, friends! Promise me you’ll add this to your holiday dinner table.
I don’t think a juicy cubed avocado or perhaps some goat cheese would do any harm to this salad, either. Oh, and if de-seeding a pomegranate gives you the heeby jeebies, I used this video as a guide. Just hit that bad boy with the back of a wooden spoon and kiss all your #pomprobs goodbye!
GIVEAWAY: If this post made you want to sprint to your nearest health food store to eat your weight in farro, have no fear. Whole Foods Upper Arlington is giving one lucky reader a healthy holiday gift basket plus a $25 gift card! That’s a helluva lot of holiday cheer! To enter, simply leave a comment telling me about your favorite whole grain. For additional entries, follow Hummusapien on Pinterest and like Whole Foods Upper Arlington on Facebook. Leave a separate comment for each entry for up to three entries total. This giveaway is open to Columbus residents only and will end Monday, December 29th at 12am EST. Good luck!
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PinIngredients
For the farro:
- 3/4 cup farro, rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the dressing:
- 3 tbsp chopped shallot
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the salad:
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted
- 5oz baby arugula (2 cups)
Instructions
- Place rinsed farro, water, and salt in a medium saucepan, Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for about 25-30 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, place all dressing ingredients in a blender (I used my nutribullet), Blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
- Place walnuts in a small pan over medium heat. Toast until fragrant, about 10 minutes. You can also toast them in the oven at 350F. Place in a large bowl. De-seed pomegranate (I like this method.)
- Add pomegranate to bowl with walnuts. Add cranberries, arugula, cooked farro, and dressing. Stir to combine. Serve over more arugula if desired.
The winner of the Love Grown Foods giveaway is Alicia C.! Please email me at hummusapien@hotmail.com with your shipping information.
Yum that salad looks amazing! Quinoa is my favorite but I’ll have to try this! Thank you!
Yum that salad looks amazing! Quinoa is my favorite but I’ll have to try this! Thank you!
I have tried farro and loved it but this combination sounds amazing!! I will try this today! I also am a huge fan of quinoa as well! Love your blog!!!
I have tried farro and loved it but this combination sounds amazing!! I will try this today! I also am a huge fan of quinoa as well! Love your blog!!!
Love me some farro…The texture is amazing! 🙂 Merry Christmas friend! XOXO
Love me some farro…The texture is amazing! 🙂 Merry Christmas friend! XOXO
Never worked with farro, but loving the dressings i’ve tried recently from your blog!
Never worked with farro, but loving the dressings i’ve tried recently from your blog!
I love quinoa so much!! And oats for breakfast!!
I love quinoa so much!! And oats for breakfast!!
Farro is my favorite (once I learned how to make it correctly)! Its so versatile! Mmmmm. I’m thinking about making this for my family’s Christmas Eve dinner!
Hi Halle! You won the Whole Foods giveaway 🙂 Head in to Whole Foods Upper Arlington to claim your gift card and gift bag!
Farro is my favorite (once I learned how to make it correctly)! Its so versatile! Mmmmm. I’m thinking about making this for my family’s Christmas Eve dinner!
Hi Halle! You won the Whole Foods giveaway 🙂 Head in to Whole Foods Upper Arlington to claim your gift card and gift bag!
I liked Whole Foods on Facebook!
I liked Whole Foods on Facebook!
I follow you on Pinterest! 🙂 (Really tryin to win something here, Alexis)
I follow you on Pinterest! 🙂 (Really tryin to win something here, Alexis)
After my Epic Quinoa Bender of 2013, I’ve been a liiiiittle sick of quinoa, myself. I say bring on the big poofy grains like farro, and…well…rice…cause that ish never gets old. This salad topper is straight up perfecto for my family’s holiday feast – sheer brilliance, love!!
After my Epic Quinoa Bender of 2013, I’ve been a liiiiittle sick of quinoa, myself. I say bring on the big poofy grains like farro, and…well…rice…cause that ish never gets old. This salad topper is straight up perfecto for my family’s holiday feast – sheer brilliance, love!!
I love grain salads! so much heartier than lettuce ones(; My favorite grain right now is buckwheat groats, i love to sprinkle them on cereal or oatmeal for crunch!
I love grain salads! so much heartier than lettuce ones(; My favorite grain right now is buckwheat groats, i love to sprinkle them on cereal or oatmeal for crunch!
I like this recipe! I think this will be a nice side for the dinner I’m making on 25th. I’m making seabass, and am still thinking about a side/veggies. When my parents approve it, I’m making this 😉 Farro is delicious, I love the nutty flavour. I can imagine this tastes amazing!
I like this recipe! I think this will be a nice side for the dinner I’m making on 25th. I’m making seabass, and am still thinking about a side/veggies. When my parents approve it, I’m making this 😉 Farro is delicious, I love the nutty flavour. I can imagine this tastes amazing!
I also follow you on pinterest(:
I also follow you on pinterest(:
My favorite whole grain is quinoa – such a flavorful, versatile whole grain!
My favorite whole grain is quinoa – such a flavorful, versatile whole grain!
I follow Hummusapien on Pinterest.
I follow Hummusapien on Pinterest.
I liked Whole Foods Market Upper Arlington on Facebook.
Hi Liz! You won the giveaway! Head on over to Whole Foods Upper Arlington and let them know you won Hummusapien’s giveaway. They’ll have a gift bag and gift card waiting for you!
Thank you so much! I sent you a message regarding the Whole Foods gift card part of the giveaway.
You’re welome! I don’t see your message about the gift card–can you resend? My email is hummusapien@hotmail.com.
I liked Whole Foods Market Upper Arlington on Facebook.
Hi Liz! You won the giveaway! Head on over to Whole Foods Upper Arlington and let them know you won Hummusapien’s giveaway. They’ll have a gift bag and gift card waiting for you!
Thank you so much! I sent you a message regarding the Whole Foods gift card part of the giveaway.
You’re welome! I don’t see your message about the gift card–can you resend? My email is hummusapien@hotmail.com.
I love spelt- especially in baked goods!
I love spelt- especially in baked goods!
Farro is definiltey my new favorite grain, I only recently discovered it a few months ago. I made a delicious farro salad with goat cheese, celery, walnuts, and apples. I can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
Farro is definiltey my new favorite grain, I only recently discovered it a few months ago. I made a delicious farro salad with goat cheese, celery, walnuts, and apples. I can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
I would LOVE to go to whole foods upper Arlington and get the ingredients for the salad. Let’s perfect!
I would LOVE to go to whole foods upper Arlington and get the ingredients for the salad. Let’s perfect!
Liked WF UA on Facebook!
Liked WF UA on Facebook!
I’ve been using millet a lot lately & we’ve really been liking it!
I’ve been using millet a lot lately & we’ve really been liking it!
I LOVE farro… like seriously, LOVE! I have never tried adding it to a salad, but this sounds delicious!
I LOVE farro… like seriously, LOVE! I have never tried adding it to a salad, but this sounds delicious!
I’m still digging quinoa, but should really start mixing things up!
I’m still digging quinoa, but should really start mixing things up!
I liked hummusapien on fb
I liked hummusapien on fb
I liked UA whole foods on fb
I liked UA whole foods on fb
I don’t each many grains but I’ve been enjoying polenta lately. It’s a yummy winter food, feels very cozy
I don’t each many grains but I’ve been enjoying polenta lately. It’s a yummy winter food, feels very cozy
I follow on Pinterest too 🙂
I follow on Pinterest too 🙂
Love pearled barley!
Love pearled barley!
Farro is my go-to! I can’t believe you’ve never used it before but so happy you did because I can’t wait to try this salad!
Farro is my go-to! I can’t believe you’ve never used it before but so happy you did because I can’t wait to try this salad!
I love farro! My mom recently gave me a big bag from Costco, so I’ll be living off of that for awhile. I also loooove bulgur and I regularly buy it from the Whole Foods bulk bins.
I love farro! My mom recently gave me a big bag from Costco, so I’ll be living off of that for awhile. I also loooove bulgur and I regularly buy it from the Whole Foods bulk bins.
I already follow you on Pinterest 🙂
I already follow you on Pinterest 🙂
Quinoa is my fave but I’d love to try farro!
Quinoa is my fave but I’d love to try farro!
I already like Whole Foods UA on Facebook!
I already like Whole Foods UA on Facebook!
I just started following you on Pinterest!
I just started following you on Pinterest!
Quinoa is my favorite!
Quinoa is my favorite!
I liked whole foods UA on Facebook!
I liked whole foods UA on Facebook!
And started following you on Pinterest!
And started following you on Pinterest!
Gorgeous salad! I keep on meaning to get my hands on some farro to try.
Happy holidays girl! 🙂
Gorgeous salad! I keep on meaning to get my hands on some farro to try.
Happy holidays girl! 🙂