New Podcast is ready for your ears! The Grass is Always Greener. Dudes… it’s a good one!
I meant to make cake. I meant to make whipped cream. I meant to buy fresh raspberries. I mean to smash the three things together into a large bowl and eat it all… and then I made salad.
Don’t yell. We can not survive on doughnuts alone.
Let me tell you a little something about me… I do this weird thing wherein I eat one thing, all day. That’s not to say that I eat one carrot all day. No. I eat carrots, and only carrots all day. I don’t know why I do this. Welcome to crazybrain.
So! A few days ago when I made doughnuts…. I ate doughnuts all day. Doughnuts and lime popsicles… because I was thirsty. Clearly something is wrong with me.
I tell you all of this because it’s important you understand that salad is a good thing around these parts. A salad recipe means that I’m eating salad all day. My thighs like those days.
Know what makes salad tolerable? Doughnuts.
No… stop that. Caramelized onions.
I’m pretty sure that caramelizing onions with a touch of balsamic vinegar is just like turning onions into candy.
Do you know what farro is? It’s one of my favorites. Farro is a type of wheat. It’s boiled in salted water like pasta, then drained. When cooked it’s puffed and tender, with a hint of al dente crunch. I love this grain. Hearty, wholesome and delicious.
I found farro is the bulk section at Whole Foods, but you can also order it online here.
It’s one of my favorite grains. It’s popular in Italy. Let’s make it popular here.
Oh! If you’re not into farro, why not try Israeli Couscous?
Secret: roasting cherry tomatoes on the vine makes them instantly more fancy and cool.
It is our mission in life to be fancy and cool. Duh.
Yummy candy onions, fancy roasted tomatoes, hearty farro and fresh parsley.
Yes, I put parsley in every savory dish I make. It’s my thing. It makes me feel chef-y. It’s like Rachel Ray calling extra virgin olive oil EVOO. Just give me this parsley thing and we’ll call it even.
Oh. Ps. Put fresh grated Parmesan Cheese on this salad. It is a wonderful suggestion from me to you.
Roasted Tomato and Caramalized Onion Farro Salad
serves 4
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 (or a few good pinches) salt
1/2 teaspoon (or a good pinch) crushed red chili flakes
2 medium yellow onions, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup farro
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place cherry tomatoes on a sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and red chili flakes. Bake for 15 minutes, or until some tomatoes have burst and are golden brown and sizzling. Remove from the onion and set aside to cool slightly.
Place olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and toss to coat in fat. Allow onions to cook down for 5 minutes without stirring. Toss after 5 minutes, then allow to cook without being disturbed for another 5 minutes. Add salt and toss. Onions will begin to brown and break down. Remove from the heat momentarily, keep your nose back, and add balsamic vinegar. Toss to coat all of the onions. Return to heat and allow to cook down to a melty onion consistency. Onions will be browned, broken down and delicious.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. When water boils, add a pinch of salt. Add farro and stir. Cook farro until it is softened through and has a light al dente bite to it, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain farro in a strainer, return to pot, and toss with olive oil. Add roasted tomatoes, caramalized onions, and chopped parsley. Toss and serve warm.
Farro salad will last up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Emilee
I do the eat-one-thing-all-day thing too…all the time. Most especially when I’ve cooked up something delicious (and as always in a batch way too large for just one, even though I am only just one). And those are the best days I think.
Lucy
I’ve had farro in restaurants but haven’t tried making it myself. Sort of like quinoa, it’s growing on me. But you’ve made it look delicious and with some of my favorite things…caramelized onions and roasted tomatoes. And parmesan. Yum.
Monica
I like the change of pace! I’m gonna have to try this. Looks delicious!
Rebekah Renko
Man, girl… I usually only eat one thing a day too! I’m glad I’m not the only one. Because, well, quite frankly I’ll eat an entire bag of frozen grapes in the course of two days. Or a whole bag of carrots and hummus in the same amount of time. And then I kinda feel like a fatty patty, but suddenly remember how I ONLY ate grapes and carrots all day! So no, I’m not fat, thank you very much…
Unfortunately, I also rationalize that if I’m going to be eating oatmeal cookies or Reese’s Pieces that it’s best I stick to those and nothing else all day – more expendable calories or some nonsense, ya know? And then I’m out of control and it’s not cute anymore.
Anyway, I’m with you in this. And I’m planning for Saturday to be nothing but pumpkin spiced iced coffee, tortilla chips, and apple pie day… so yeah, that’s happening if you wanna mentally join. I’m sure I’ll chug a bottle of something with alcohol in it by the end of the night, too. Balance shmalance.
Lisa
Mmmm, this sounds good. I have a hard time making both carmelized onions and roasted tomatoes to use in recipes. Because I just can’t help eating them just as they are. They are each just so good. A friend and I made plans yesterday to go pick tomatoes today, and all I’ve been thinking about since yesterday afternoon is roasting them; with some garlic cloves, salt, fresh thyme and olive oil. I can’t wait!
tracy
Are my favorite ingredients, and looks very easy, weekends at home, will try to do it.
ps? very much like the taste of farro.
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
I am a definite fan of savory, so I am OK with no donuts or cake! Love this salad – all things I crave.
Qi Ting @ Misadventures of Fat free Baking
Hi Joy! I’ve been reading your blog for super long time, since 2009! This is the first time I’m commenting here. I’ve listened to many episodes of your podcasts and look forward to your every post! You’re sooo funny and lovable!!! Thank you for adding joy into my life. (not written like that on purpose, I mean it in a literal way… but you get it :-))
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
I can only imagine how good this must taste!
Dolly
Joy,
you are amazing, your emails brighten my morning!
I had to send it to a neighbor (the cinamon bread) and I wrote, I dare you to click on this link. It was funny.
Nelly Rodriguez
Looks gorgeous and indeed, fancy.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Am gonna have to try me some of that farro.
And those roasted tomatoes on the vine, yes, very fancy and beautiful.
Dee
Oh my gosh. This looks amazeballs. Yum!
Molly
This looks phenomenal! I have spelt berries at home…totally using those instead of farro (even though I pretty much obsess over farro).
Baking Holly
I love that you incorporate Baking AND Food Food- Way to go JOY- plus, I LOVE lovelove the stems on the tomatoes.