Farro Salad with Spinach, Cranberries, Feta and Balsamic Dressing

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vigo Foods. All opinions are 100% mine.

This easy Farro Salad with spinach, cranberries and feta, topped with balsamic dressing, is a delicious addition to your menu any time of year.  You’re going to love how healthy it is too!

Have you ever heard of farro? I’ve been wanting to try this ancient grain for years. I’m not sure what took me so long! But having finally tried it, I have to say it’s one of my new favorite grains. I’ve been cooking with it nonstop lately!

Vigo Farro Boil-In-Bag is pearled, which means the hull has been partly removed, resulting in a quicker cooking time. Each bag contains perfectly proportioned servings…no measuring necessary! Its hearty, slightly chewy texture and nutty flavor works well with many dishes, including salads, soups, stews, or casseroles. You might even consider changing up your breakfast routine and enjoying it in place of oatmeal!

This Farro Salad is definitely one of my new favorites. I’m always playing around with new salad ideas, which you can probably tell from my blog.  The farro pairs really nicely with the spinach, cranberries and feta and the hazelnuts in this salad add a nice crunch. The balsamic dressing is yummy too! My last batch went so quickly, I plan to make it again very soon!

The fact that it’s so healthy is a nice bonus! Owning a gym, and being part of a family of runners, nutrition is really important to me, so I try to be conscious of what I’m feeding my family.

Packed with nutritional benefits, farro is a great choice to replace some of the refined grains in your diet. Here’s why:

• It’s an excellent source of protein. Paired with vegetables, farro can provide a complete source of protein to your diet. Its protein content is equivalent to lentils and beans. Protein helps us repair and rebuild muscles, which is essential for recovery after a workout.
• It’s high in antioxidants. When we think of foods high in antioxidants, most of us think of fruits and vegetables.  But farro is a good source of the antioxidant lignans, which help reduce inflammation. That’s always a helpful addition to an athlete’s diet.
• It’s a good source of fiber. Dietary fiber is beneficial to our digestive health, but it’s also a factor in helping to prevent heart disease. Plus, unprocessed grains tend to “fill you up” more so than refined grains, and because they also break down more slowly, they help keep your energy level stable…another benefit for those who enjoy a hard workout.

FARRO SALAD WITH SPINACH, CRANBERRIES, FETA & BALSAMIC DRESSING

If you’re looking for an easy festive salad for the holidays, this is it! But really, this farro salad is great for any time of year though. It’s healthy and delicious — truly a wonderful combination of flavors!

Cook your farro according to package directions. Vigo Farro comes packaged in 4 perfectly portioned boil in bags. Talk about simple! I used two bags, each of which was 2/3 of cup of dry farro. It only takes 16-18 minutes to cook.

Once cooked and drained, allow the farro to cool completely before using it in the salad.

While your farro is cooling, you can chop your spinach and toast your hazelnuts.  To toast your nuts, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spread your nuts out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes until nuts just slightly darken. It’s better to roast nuts whole, then chop them, because they’re more likely to burn if they’re already chopped. But if your nuts are already chopped, just keep an eye on them.

You can also make the balsamic dressing ahead, while the farro is either cooking or cooling. Mix together the honey and Dijon mustard first, then add in the chopped shallot, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Whisk the mixture together until it starts to thicken and season it to taste with salt and pepper. You’ll have plenty of leftover dressing for another salad.

Once the farro has cooled, combine it with the chopped spinach, dried cranberries, feta, hazelnuts and drizzle a couple tablespoons of the balsamic dressing over the top and mix well. If you prefer more dressing, simply add it in a little at a time.

Enjoy!

MORE GREAT SALAD RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY

• Superfood Salad with Power Greens
• Lemony Kale Quinoa Salad
• Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Walnuts

Don’t forget to look for Vigo foods in a supermarket near you, or shop Vigo’s online store! You can also enter to win this fantastic box packed with Vigo products! It’s jam packed with an awesome product selection! We’ll be picking a winner in a couple of weeks!

 

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Now for the recipe!