Hearty and Healthy…Warm Farro Salad…A New Winter Staple!

Despite it being winter, I live in Southern California, where the coldest times might be 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the worst. Of course, this feels cold to us spoiled So-Cal residents who are used to our 75 degree norm. When it is 50 degrees out, I have a hard time eating a salad…because it is COLD! And I don’t know about you all, but I am not really a fan of eating cold things when it is cold. I want hot foods, like soups and warm, fluffy carbs…doughy breads, potatoes with butter, cheesy things…gahhhhh!

Like everyone else, I struggle with eating healthy during the holidays. It’s cold, you are with loved ones…most of those warm (or cold) treats are not of the healthiest variety…so be your own cheerleader, lead the pack and find recipes for things that are hearty and healthy that you and your loved ones can enjoy.

This is a recipe I devised based off of the fact that it involved roasted butternut squash ( a personal favorite) and farro, which is higher in protein than brown rice, with a little nutty flavor. I have made recipes with farro before, and they are always delicious! It can be used as a breakfast cereal, or is great as a salad, which is what I did with it in the recipe below.

WARM FARRO SALAD

1 cup farro

2 cups cubed winter squash

 1 pint cherry tomatoes

3-4 tbsp olive oil

pinch of salt

pinch of red pepper flakes

1 bay leaf

Preheat oven to 425F. On a baking sheet spread the butternut squash and tomatoes out and douse with olive oil and salt. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes. Place the farro on the stove in a pot with 2 cups of water. Once the water boils put the farro in with the bay leaf. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the farro is cooked (it will have soaked up the water, taste it to make sure its relatively soft). When it is done take out the bay leaf. When the butter nut squash and tomatoes are done, mix them in with the farro and add the red pepper flakes and salt and a little more olive oil if you desire. Add your favorite animal protein on the side if you desire a non-vegetarian meal.

This is not gluten free, but you could make it so by substituting the farro for quinoa.

ENJOY!