This vibrant and nutritious Watercress Farro Salad With Tart Cherries is a delightful blend of textures and flavors. The nutty farro pairs perfectly with the peppery watercress and the sweet-tart burst of dried cherries. A simple yet flavorful dressing ties everything together, making it an ideal dish for a light lunch or a refreshing side.
If you're not familiar with farro, it's an ancient grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor, often found in the grains or health food section of your supermarket. Watercress is a leafy green with a peppery taste, usually available in the produce section. Dried tart cherries can be found in the dried fruit aisle. These ingredients might not be staples in every kitchen, so be sure to check your local store.
Ingredients For Watercress Farro Salad With Tart Cherries
Farro: An ancient grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor, perfect for salads and grain bowls.
Watercress: A leafy green with a peppery taste, adding a fresh and slightly spicy note to the salad.
Dried tart cherries: These provide a sweet-tart burst of flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Olive oil: A staple in dressings, adding a rich and smooth texture.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a bright and tangy flavor to the dressing.
Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the tartness of the cherries and lemon juice.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
Black pepper: Freshly ground to add a bit of heat and depth to the dressing.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of the farro, toast it in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before cooking. This will bring out a nutty aroma and add depth to the overall taste of the salad.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
farro - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa has a similar texture and is also a nutritious whole grain, making it a great alternative.
watercress - Substitute with arugula: Arugula has a peppery flavor similar to watercress and can provide the same fresh, green element to the salad.
dried tart cherries - Substitute with dried cranberries: Dried cranberries have a similar tartness and sweetness, making them a suitable replacement.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits, making it a good alternative for dressings.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and can provide the same tangy flavor to the dressing.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup has a similar sweetness and can be used as a natural sweetener in the dressing.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide the same level of seasoning with a slightly different mineral content.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar spiciness but a slightly different flavor profile, making it a good alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Salad
How to Store or Freeze This Salad
- To keep your watercress farro salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps to maintain the crispness of the watercress and the chewiness of the farro.
- Place the container in the refrigerator. The salad can be stored for up to 3 days, but for the best texture and flavor, consume it within 24 hours.
- If you plan to make the salad ahead of time, consider storing the dressing separately. This prevents the watercress from becoming soggy. Simply add the dressing just before serving.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the farro separately. Cook the farro as per the recipe, let it cool, and then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- When ready to use, thaw the farro in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, combine it with fresh watercress, dried tart cherries, and the prepared dressing.
- Avoid freezing the entire salad, as watercress and dried cherries do not freeze well and may lose their texture and flavor.
- If you have leftover dressing, store it in a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. It can be refrigerated for up to a week. Shake well before using.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Gently warm the farro salad in a skillet over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. This method helps maintain the texture of the watercress and prevents the dried cherries from becoming too soft.
Use a microwave-safe dish to reheat the salad. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
For a slightly different twist, spread the salad on a baking sheet and warm it in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. This method can add a slight crispness to the farro while keeping the watercress fresh.
If you prefer a cold salad, simply allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This can enhance the flavors without altering the texture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Saucepan: used to cook the farro according to the package instructions
Colander: used to drain the cooked farro
Large mixing bowl: used to combine the cooled farro, watercress, and dried cherries
Small bowl: used to whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper
Whisk: used to mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly
Measuring cups: used to measure the farro, olive oil, and dried tart cherries
Measuring spoons: used to measure the lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper
Salad tongs: used to toss the salad and dressing together
Knife: used to trim the watercress if needed
Cutting board: used as a surface for trimming the watercress
Refrigerator: used to chill the salad if you choose to serve it cold
How to Save Time on Making This Salad
Cook farro in advance: Prepare the farro a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator to save time on the day you make the salad.
Use pre-washed greens: Buy pre-washed watercress to eliminate the need for washing and trimming.
Quick dressing mix: Make the dressing in a jar and shake it up. This saves time on whisking and makes it easy to store leftovers.
Chill ingredients: Keep the dried cherries and other ingredients chilled, so the salad is ready to serve immediately after mixing.
Watercress Farro Salad With Tart Cherries
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup farro uncooked
- 4 cups watercress washed and trimmed
- ½ cup dried tart cherries
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- 1. Cook the farro according to the package instructions. Drain and let it cool.
- 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled farro, watercress, and dried cherries.
- 3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- 4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- 5. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving.
Nutritional Value
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