Warm Tuscan Farro Salad

Calories 373
Makes 6 Servings (about 7 cups)
Total Time: 35 minutes

FOR THE FARRO, BOIL:
3 1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups semi-pearled dry farro, rinsed (12 ozs.)

SAUTE:
1/2 cup sliced shallots
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups chopped kale (5 ozs.)
1/4 cup water
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup shaved pecorino (1.5 ozs)
Minced zest of 1 lemon

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE, WHISK:
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
For the farro, boil water and salt in a saucepan. Add farro, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, 15-20 minutes; remove from heat and drain any excess water.

Saute shallots, garlic and pepper flakes in oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat, 1 minute. Stir in kale and 1/4 cup water; cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, vinegar, and salt. Stir in farro, pecorino, and zest.

For the vinaigrette, whisk together basil, 1/4 cup oil, and lemon juice; season with 1/2 tsp. salt and black pepper. Toss salad with vinaigrette to coat.

I give this recipe 5 stars. It's great warm, and even better cold the next day!

Posted by Debi
Source: Cuisine at Home magazine

Chopped Salad Party - New York Style

Recipe from Ree Drummond - The Pioneer Wife

I made a salad last Friday that was inspired by some scrumptious and enjoyable salad bar experiences I’ve had during recent trips to New York City…where my older daughter and I happen to be visiting this week.

Here’s how the New York salad bars go, and maybe I need to get out more, but I just think it’s miraculous: There are different selections of greens, then basically any and every salad topping you can think of: kidney beans, avocado, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, etc. Like, at least fifty toppings.

Then the guy/gal behind the counter says “What greens do you want?” And you tell them the greens you want. And they grab some of those greens with tongs and throw them into a clean stainless bowl.

Then you basically go up and down the rows of toppings, shouting out all the goodness you want them to add into the bowl, which is everything if you’re me.

Then the guy says “What kind of dressing do you want?” And you tell him “blue cheese” if you’re me, and he plops some of that into the bowl.

Then he tosses it like nuts, then he asks you one final—and very important—question:

“Do you want it chopped?”

And you say yes. A thousand times yes.

(continue reading on The Pioneer Wife blog)

Posted by Debi

Southwestern Quinoa and Bean Salad

Sorry, I did not get a picture.  Life has been rather busy around here with a newborn, 2 toddlers and several of out-of-town guests.  Next time I make it I will try and remember to snap a picture before we eat it all!

Salad:
2 cans black beans, washed and drained
2 cans white beans, washed and drained
2 cans whole kernel corn, washed and drained
2-3 green onions chopped
2 sm. red pepper, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.

Dressing:

1/2 c. apple cider vinegar

2 heaping teaspoons of cumin

3/4 c. olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a container with a lid and shake vigorously until well incorporated.  Pour over the salad mixture and stir to combine.

Quinoa:
1 med. red onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups of uncooked quinoa
3 cups chicken stock
1 T. olive oil
pinch of salt

In a medium pot sauté the onion in the olive.  Cooked until onion is soft.  Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.  Add quinoa, chicken stock and pinch of salt and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and cover and cook until liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes.  Once all liquid is absorbed spread to cooked quinoa out on a cookie sheet to cool.  Once cooled mix in with salad mixture.

*Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Optional ingredients:  You can add 1 jalapeño to the onion and cook it for extra heat.  I also like to serve it with fresh chopped tomato and avocado (when in season)

Mediterranean Eggplant and Barley Salad

This time I don't have pictures of my own.  But this recipe is incredible and I would highly encourage you to try it!  I have included the link to the blog where I found it.  Please visit to see her amazing photo detailed recipe.  Recipe taken from Smitten Kitchen.  My changes are in italics. 

Mediterranean Eggplant and Barley Salad
Gourmet, September 2006

Makes 4 (main course) or 8 (side dish) servings

1 1/2 lb eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 lb zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes I omitted this because they are not in season right now & too expensive
10 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chopped scallion (from 1 bunch)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander I omitted this
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (note: I used 1/8 tsp. and it was plenty spicy; adjust to taste)
1 1/4 cups pearl barley (8 oz)
1 (14-oz) can reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth (1 3/4 cups) I used my freshly made stock!
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 lb cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/3 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and halved I omitted this
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, rinsed and drained if desired
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint

1/2 cup fresh feta cheese

Roast eggplant and zucchini: Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.

Toss eggplant and zucchini with 5 tablespoons oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, then spread in 2 oiled large shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pans. Roast vegetables in oven, stirring occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through baking, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes total. Combine vegetables in 1 pan and cool, reserving other pan for cooling barley.

Cook barley: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook scallion, cumin, coriander, and cayenne, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add barley and cook, stirring until well coated with oil, 2 minutes more. Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all of liquid is absorbed and barley is tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Transfer to reserved shallow baking pan and spread to quickly cool, uncovered, to room temperature, about 20 minutes.

Make dressing and assemble salad: Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, sugar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add barley, roasted vegetables, and remaining ingredients to bowl with dressing and toss until combined well. Serve with cheese slices.

Do ahead: Salad can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Return to room temperature before serving.  It was even better after it sat for a day.  The onions soaked up all the dressing and were so tasty.

Posted By: Tracy

Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Salad:

2 lb Fresh spinach - lightly chopped

1 pint Strawberries - sliced

Optional:

1 Lg Cucumber - peeled and sliced

1 Lg Tomato - sliced

Crushed Almonds or Walnuts

Crumbled feta or mozzarella cheese

Crumbled cooked bacon

Dressing:

1/2 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/3 c. sugar

1/4 t. kosher salt

1 T. cider vinegar

1 T. vegetable oil

2 T. balsamic vinegar

The nice thing about this salad is you can put whatever you want in it. It would be fabulous with just the spinach and strawberries - anything extra is... well... just extra! Shake all the dressing ingredients well and lightly drizzle over salad. Enjoy!

Recipe By: Tracy

Chicken Salad

4-5 cups chicken, cooked and cubed

1 cup celery

1/2 cup green onions

1 cup silvered almomds

2 cups halfed, green grapes

2/3 cup mayo

1/4 cup half and half

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 T. white vinegar

Add celery, onions, almonds and grapes to chicken. In separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Toss with chicken mixture. Chill.

Crunchy Asian Salad

Serves: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 30 min.
Cook Time: 10 min.

Difficulty: Easy

Dressing:

1/3 C. Canola Oil

1/4 C. Rice Vinegar

3 T. Sesame Oil

3 T. Sugar

2 T. Creamy All Natural Peanut Butter

3/4 t. Kosher Salt

1/2 t. Freshly Ground Pepper

Mix all ingredients in container with tight lid.  Shake until peanut butter and sugar dissolve.

Salad:

1 (3oz) pkg. Ramen Noodle Soup

3 Boneless skinless chicken breast, grilled and chopped

1 bag coleslaw mix, shredded cabbage and carrots

1 C. Carrots, matchstick cut

1/2 C. Crushed honey roast peanuts (almonds could be a substitute)

1 Med. Red bell pepper, chopped

1 Med. Orange bell pepper, chopped

2 Oranges, seedless, chopped in big chunks

2 C. Fresh spinach, chopped

Crush noodle in bag before opening.  Pull out seasoning mix and discard.  Combine all ingredients except oranges.  Mix well with dressing.  Top with orange chunks.  Serve immediately to avoid noodles losing their crunchiness.  This is still good the next day, it just won't be crunchy.