After spending hours of planning, prepping, and cooking, you have a beautiful entrée — and then you realize you forgot all about the sides. We’ve all been there! Thankfully, our cuisine queen Ina Garten has a perfect go-to recipe that will work with any main course. This flavorful and nutrient-rich salad is her “favorite side dish ever,” and it’s the perfect option to whip up for dinner.
“Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad is my favorite side dish ever,” Garten captioned the post on Instagram. “It’s earthy and sweet from the farro cooked in apple cider, citrus-y from the fresh lemon vinaigrette, peppery from the arugula, salty and crunchy from the pistachios — so good!” she added. It sounds delightful!
The Barefoot Contessa shared a video of her recipe, originally published in her 2018 Cook Like a Pro cookbook, with step-by-step assembly directions “so each bite is perfect.”
Start by cooking the farro with apple cider and other ingredients in a medium saucepan and letting it simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. Drain and pour the farro into a large serving bowl. Next: add a homemade vinaigrette with olive oil, lemon juice, and more, adding to the warm farro and letting it cool.
When it’s finally ready to assemble, add pistachios, parsley, arugula, and other ingredients, sprinkling with Parmesan and sea salt to serve. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures, that’s light and fresh! This will go perfectly with your spring menu.
“I love having a side dish that goes with everything,” Garten said in the video, recommending it with lamb, chicken, fish, or “whatever” else you prepare.
Fans love this salad as much as Garten does. “I have made this recipe so many times and everyone always loves it!” one person commented. Another shared, “Best salad in the world! Make it all the time! Delicious!!!!”
“I made this twice in the past month ❤️ love this one, and love you, Ina!!!” another wrote.
With reviews like that, we can’t wait to try it too!
Get Garten’s full Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad recipe HERE.
Before you go, check out Garten’s best dinner recipes below:
