Do you ever mess up a recipe and then decide that you liked it so much you couldn’t have it any other way? Well, that’s what happened to the Warm Farro Salad from Jeff Mauro. It turned out to be a happy mistake.

Warm Farro Salad with Charred Corn

So I’m going to tell you how I made the Warm Farro Salad coz I will make it every time this way. I typically downplay the grains and up the veggies in a salad like this. What I got was a bright and fresh salad full of all the goodies: charred corn, cherry tomatoes, & Kalamata olives.

The biggest surprise was how the lemon really stood out in this salad, which I loved; maybe that’s because I cut back a little on the basil. I don’t know if it’s because I grow my own herbs and they’re fresher than what you buy at the grocer’s, but sometimes the amount in recipes really just bowls me over.

This salad is very adaptable; I’ve made it with different vegetables, different grains, and with frozen or leftover corn. I’ve even added just a bit of leftover corn. It seems you can’t go wrong!

Cut corn from the cob by using a bundt pan; an angel food pan is even better. If neither is at hand place an uoturned bowl over a sheet pan with a lip. Don’t use your best knife!

Anyway, when you buy Farro, check and see if you can’t get it from the bulk area of the store or a health food store rather than paying a ton of money for those little packets you find near the rice. You’re likely to find corn (see how to pick a good ear) from my post on Corn Chowder. Just make sure to use that corn asap when you get it home. And find tomatoes on special all summer long.

The red cherry tomatoes are usually less than the “heirloom” varieties mixed, but Aldi or Lidl are great places to pick up either on the cheap. (I think they even have farro there, now.) Even less, although not as pretty, is a regular-sized tomato. Chunk and strain it for a few minutes.

I love cutting my corn over a bundt or angel food pan – it makes the job so much easier! Thanks to Real Simple for the photograph.

Maximise your time and ingredients: Any time making a long cooking grain like Farro, Quinoa, Barley, and so on, make a larger quantity and stash the rest in portions in the freezer.

Warm Farro Salad with Charred Corn

Warm Farro Salad with Charred Corn

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Sub the grilled corn with frozen or canned for lower effort, and/or substitute farro with any grain: barley, quinoa, rice.

• Author: adapted from Jeff Mauro
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

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For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Grated zest of 1 lemon, plus 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:

• 1 cup farro
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 3 ears of corn, shucked
• 8 – 16 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup (or more) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives
• salt and pepper to taste or as directed throughout the recipe
• 1 tablespoon chiffonade fresh basil

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Instructions

For the vinaigrette:

In a jar with a lid, shake together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, apple cider vinegar and mustard; season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside. (You’ll use about 3/4’s of the vinaigrette to mix in with the farro and reserve about a 1/4 to remoisten or bump up the flavor of the salad before serving.)

For the salad:

Preheat a grill to high, then start cooking the farro on the stove-top. While the farro cooks, you’ll grill the corn.

In a medium-sized saucepan with a tight lid, add two cups water to the cup of farro, along with the tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, turn to a low simmer, and cook, covered, until al dente, about 20 to 22 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside for five minutes. Drain if necessary. (Keep an eye on it while cooking; it can boil over or absorb more water than expected and scorch.)

After the farro has rested for five minutes, add about 3/4’s of the vinaigrette, and gently toss with a fork. If the amount looks overly generous, don’t worry, the farro will absorb it. Hold about 1/4 of the vinaigrette back in case the salad needs to be moistened a little or needs to be punched up before serving.

While the farro is cooking, brush the corn with a tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on the hot grill, turning with tongs, until slightly charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut off the kernels.

Add the corn kernels, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and chives to the farro. Gently toss to combine; add more vinaigrette if desired and season with a good amount of salt and pepper. Garnish with the basil.

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I’m posting Warm Farro Salad at Angie’s Fiesta Friday, hosted by Liz @ spades, spatulas & spoons and Jenny @ Jenny Is Baking.