Restoration Salad with Farro, Orange, and Blue Cheese

Restoration Salad with Farro, Orange, and Blue Cheese

Studded with juicy oranges and crunchy walnuts, this brussels sprouts–and–farro salad makes for a hearty and restorative dinner. Get the recipe at Food & Wine.

Ingredients

  • whole cloves
    3
  • yellow onion
    ½ medium
  • water
    1 ½ quarts
  • uncooked whole-grain farro

    such as bob’s red mill

    1 c
  • dried bay leaf
    1
  • navel oranges
    3 medium
  • golden raisins
    ¼ c
  • extra-virgin olive oil
    ¼ c
  • white balsamic vinegar
    2 tbsp
  • minced shallot
    1 tbsp
  • dijon mustard
    1 tsp
  • kosher salt
    ½ tsp
  • black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • brussels sprouts

    trimmed and very thinly sliced

    8 oz
  • walnut halves

    toasted

    ½ c
  • firm blue cheese

    cut into 4 slices

    4 oz

Directions

  1. 1

    Poke cloves into cut side of onion half. Combine cloved onion half, 1 1/2 quarts water, farro, and bay leaf in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until farro is chewy-tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Discard onion and bay leaf.

  2. 2

    While farro is cooking, grate 1 orange to equal 1/2 teaspoon zest, and set aside. Peel oranges with a knife, removing all white pith. Section oranges over a bowl, reserving juice (about 1/3 cup). Squeeze membranes to extract juice; discard membranes.

  3. 3

    Place raisins in a small microwavable bowl; pour orange juice over raisins. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute. Place raisins and any unabsorbed juice in a large bowl; let cool slightly.

  4. 4

    Combine oil, vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt, pepper, and reserved orange zest in a small jar. Seal and shake to emulsify. Add farro, brussels sprouts, and orange segments to bowl with raisins. Drizzle with dressing; toss gently to coat. Divide salad evenly among 4 shallow bowls. Top evenly with walnuts and cheese slices.

Restoration Salad with Farro, Orange, and Blue Cheese

Restoration Salad with Farro, Orange, and Blue Cheese

2643 cal

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About this Recipe

Searching for a dinner that truly satisfies, offering both heartiness and a refreshing zest? This Restoration Salad with Farro, Orange, and Blue Cheese delivers a unique blend of flavors and textures perfect for a fulfilling meal.

What makes this salad truly stand out is the inspired combination of earthy farro, bright, juicy navel oranges, and sharp, creamy blue cheese. The crunch of toasted walnuts and thinly sliced brussels sprouts adds layers of texture, creating a remarkably balanced and restorative dish.

Prepare your palate for a symphony of sensations. You'll experience the delightful chewiness of whole-grain farro, bursting with subtle sweetness from golden raisins, and the refreshing tang of fresh orange segments. Each bite is complemented by the pungent, salty notes of firm blue cheese and the earthy depth of toasted walnuts. The thinly sliced brussels sprouts contribute a mild, crisp texture, all brought together by a vibrant dressing of olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, shallot, and Dijon mustard.

This salad is designed to be substantial, serving as a complete meal. Its rich flavors and diverse textures promise a truly satisfying and memorable dining experience.

Customization & Variations

While the combination of ingredients is thoughtfully balanced, you can easily adapt this salad. Consider swapping walnuts for pecans or almonds for a different nutty note. If white balsamic vinegar isn't on hand, a good quality apple cider vinegar could offer a similar bright acidity. For those less keen on strong blue cheese, a milder feta or goat cheese could be a tasty alternative, though it will change the flavor profile.

This Restoration Salad is ideal for a substantial weeknight dinner or as an impressive, vibrant dish to bring to a gathering. It stands well on its own, offering a complete and satisfying experience.

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