Kale is a big deal these days. Everyone knows that.
So I wasn’t surprised the other day, when I went to lunch with my friend Liz Reuven at the Rive Bistro in Westport, to find a Kale and Farro Salad on the menu. We shared one, along with Tuna Nicoise.
The salad was delightful, the kale fresh and bright green. The chef had added bits of dried apricots and crunchy marcona almonds and doused it all with sherry vinaigrette.
I kept thinking “I have to make this salad.”
The next day I went to my daughter Gillian’s house and guess what she had for lunch?
Mmmm hmmm. Kale Salad with Farro. She included avocado, not apricots and sliced carrots, not almonds.
The kale was bright green and crisp, the avocados smooth and rich and the carrots nicely crisp. Gillian also added some fresh mint, which was a wow, because it calmed down the kale, which can be bitter, and made it a perfect summer dish.
I kept thinking “I have to make this salad.”
So I did. A little of this one, a little of that one. I decided to nix the apricots and the carrots, but use avocados and marcona almonds. I had some scallions, so those went in too. Plus that wonderful mint.
You should make this salad.
Here’s the recipe:
Kale and Farro Salad with Avocado and Marcona Almonds
1 cup farro (or use wheatberries or spelt)
2 cups water
3 cups chopped fresh kale
1 avocado
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons olive oil
juice of one large lemon (about 3-4 tablespoons juice)
1/3 cup chopped marcona almonds
Place the farro and water in a saucepan and bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover the pan and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until the farro is tender but still chewy. Drain any water that has not been absorbed. Place the cooked farro in a large bowl and let cool. Add the kale and toss the ingredients. Cut the avocado into small chunks and add to the salad. Add the mint. Pour the olive oil over the ingredients and toss to distribute them evenly. Pour in the lemon juice and toss. Add the almonds, toss once more and serve.
Makes 6 servings