Recipe Type: Salads

September 13, 2014

Chopped Rabe & Farro Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

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6
This recipe was inspired by the bountiful amount of fresh cut broccoli rabe that my dear neighbor Barb continues to gift me. The abundance of broccoli, along with my need to creatively find a way to get my kids to eat it, was the inspiration behind this recipe. I think you will find that honey mustard dressing is pretty much the trick for getting kids to eat any vegetable.  This recipe can also be made ahead of time. You can marinate the broccoli, onions, and farro for up to 8 hours before serving time.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 6-8 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 3 cups broccoli rabe chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion diced
  • 1 cup pecans or walnuts roasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • salt and pepper to taste
Honey Mustard Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Dijon Mustard
  • 3-4 Tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 medium clove garlic finely diced

Methods

  • Add 1/2 cup of whole grain emmer farro to 3 cups boiling water. Simmer on medium-low for 45 minutes. Turn heat off. Let grain sit in water for about 5 minutes. Drain excess liquid, set farro aside to cool.
  • In small bowl add together: Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Whisk vigorsly (3-4 minutes) until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. Dressing should be creamy.
  • Chop broccoli rabe (stems and all) into small bite size pieces. Dice onion. Blend rabe and onion in large bowl along with cooled emmer farro.
  • Dress ingredients with 1/2 cup of the honey mustard dressing and stir until well combined (save the remaining dressing for later).  Place marinating rabe in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (this can marinate 2-3 hours before serving).
  • While the blend is in the refrigerator; cook slices of bacon until browned. Turn off heat. Place strips of bacon on a paper towel and allow slices to cool. Crumble into small pieces, set aside.
  • Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in cast iron skillet. Roast whole nuts in bacon grease until browned, cool in separate bowl then chop coarsely. 
  • Set aside bacon, nuts, cranberries and frozen peas until ready to serve. Peas should remain in the freezer until salad is ready to serve.
  • Set aside bacon, nuts, cranberries and frozen peas until ready to serve. Peas should remain in the freezer until salad is ready to serve.
  • If salad seems dry, add remaining dressing or a little extra olive oil. Top with crumbled bacon. Serve alone or on top of freshly picked greens.

June 27, 2014

Cold Curried Einka & Lentil Salad with Toasted Cashews

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Bluebird Einka and French Lentil blend
  • 8 ounces firm tofu cubed
  • 1 medium cucumber skinned, seeded and diced
  • 1 small bunch cilantro chopped
  • 1 small red onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup cashews toasted and chopped
Dressing
  • 1 1/2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 Tablespoon curry spice
  • 2-3 cloves garlic finely diced
  • sea salt to taste

Methods

  • In saucepan add 1 1/2 cups of Bluebird Grain Farms’ Einka & French Lentil Blend to  3 cups of water. Bring to boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Turn heat off and allow to rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Drain any excess liquid and cool.
  • In saucepan add 1 1/2 cups of Bluebird Grain Farms’ Einka & French Lentil Blend to  3 cups of water. Bring to boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Turn heat off and allow to rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Drain any excess liquid and cool.
  • Cube tofu in about 1/2″ cubes.
  • Zest lemon.
  • Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. Toast cashews until evenly browned, constantly stirring to avoid nuts from burning (about 8 minutes).  Cool, chop, and set aside.
  • In small bowl combine yogurt, lemon juice, curry spice, garlic, and salt (to taste). Whisk vigorously until  blended.
  • When Einka has cooled add cucumber, cilantro (reserving two tablespoons for garnish), onion, tofu and lemon zest. Carefully mix until incorporated.
  • Stirring slowly, incorporate yogurt dressing, being careful not to break up cubed tofu.
  • Refrigerate until chilled.  Top with remaining cilantro and roasted cashews. Serve.

 

February 2, 2014

Einka (Einkorn) Salad with Tuscan Kale & Butternut Squash

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (3 cups) butternut squash peeled and seeded, cut into 1/2 inch dice
  • 6 Tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups Bluebird Einkorn Berries
  • 10 ounces (4 cups) Tuscan Kale stemmed, leaves sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1/2 cup shallots minced
  • 1 Tablespoon sage finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley chopped

Methods

  • Preheat the oven to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the squash for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, cover the whole grain Einka with 5 cups of water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until tender, 25 minutes.
  • Add the kale to the Einka, cover and remove from the heat; let stand until the kale is wilted, 5 minutes.
  • Drain well and add the Einka and kale to the squash.
  • Add the vinegar and 2 tablespoons of the oil to the salad, season with salt and pepper and toss.
  • In a medium skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and cook over moderately high heat until just starting to brown (about 3 to 4 minutes).
  • Add the sage and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. 
  •  Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add the wine and simmer, stirring, until evaporated.
  • Scrape the shallot and garlic into the salad and toss.
  • Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley and serve.

January 4, 2014

Spring Salad of Rye Berries, Fennel, and Green Peas

Rye

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4 people
Make this salad in spring when fresh peas are in season. With plenty of rye berries, it’s filling enough to be a light lunch.

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest freshly grated
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper cracked
  • 1/8 teaspoon fennel seeds toasted
  • 1 fennel bulb
  • 4 cups Bluebird Grain Farms Rye Berries cooked and cooled
  • 1 1/2 cups green peas fresh
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian Parsley minced
  • 5-6 leaves red leaf lettuce washed and dried

Methods

  • Whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and fennel seeds. Set aside.
  • Trim the fennel bulb, reserving several sprigs of leaves for garnish. Finely chop the bulb, stalks, and remaining leaves.
  • Combine with the rye berries, peas, and parsley.
  • Pour the dressing over all and toss to combine.
  • Line a shallow bowl with lettuce leaves. Mound salad upon the lettuce, garnish with the reserved fennel leaves, and serve.

January 4, 2014

Rye Berry Smoked Salmon Salad

Rye

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4 people
This Rye Berry salad with smoked salmon and asparagus, celebrates the bounty of spring in the Pacific Northwest. It is creamy, full of spring flavors and tastes wonderful warm, at room temp or cold.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Rye Berries
  • 2 pounds fresh asparagus rinsed and tough ends removed
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup chives minced
  • 1 tablespoon capers chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds coursely ground in mortar and pestle or substitute fresh dill
  • 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • 4 ounces smoked salmon or salmon lox, chopped or flaked into bite sized pieces
  • kosher or sea salt

Methods

  • In a medium saucepan combine rye berries, a pinch of salt and 4 Cups of water.
  • Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 – 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave berries in the warm water until ready to toss the salad.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 
  • Chop asparagus into roughly 1 inch pieces and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss with olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes until some edges start to brown a bit.
  • In a medium salad bowl mix the sour cream, Dijon, chives, capers, caraway and cider vinegar. 
  •  Drain the rye berries and add the warm berries to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Add the warm asparagus and salmon and toss to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 3 days and serve cold. Garnish with additional sour cream and chives or dill.
  • Kosher or sea salt to taste

January 3, 2014

Fall Farro Salad with Beets, Beet Greens, and Feta

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro soaked for one hour in water and drained
  • 2 medium beets cooked, reserve beet greens and cook as directed below
  • salt preferably kosher salt to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic minced or pureed
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin (or substitute 1-2 tablespoons walnut oil for part of the olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces broken
  • 2 ounces feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs (any combo of parsley, tarragon marjoram, chives, mint) chopped

Methods

  •  Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add salt to taste and the beet greens. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely and set aside.
  • Bring the water back to a boil, and add the farro. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, or until the farro is tender. Remove from the heat and allow the grains to swell in the cooking water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  •  While the farro is cooking, make the vinaigrette. Whisk together the vinegars, salt, garlic and mustard. Whisk in the oil(s). Add to the farro.
  • Peel and dice the beets and add, along with the beet greens, feta or goat cheese, herbs and walnuts.
  • Toss together, and serve warm or room temperature with a little more cheese sprinkled over the top if you wish.

January 3, 2014

Fresh Herbs & Farro Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup fresh herbs chopped (any combo of oregano, marjoram, mint, parsley, chives)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Methods

  • Measure five parts liquid to one part farro, boil gently for 50-60 minutes in salted water or stock. Farro is done when it’s tender, but still has a slight bite similar to al dente pasta. It doesn’t soak up the liquid as rice does, but expands and cooks in the ample liquid. Drain off excess when the farro is done.
  • Finely chop the onion, garlic and fresh herbs, set aside
  • Mix together in a bowl: 2 T olive oil, 3 T red wine vinegar, 1 t honey, a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. 
  • Add onions and garlic to olive oil and vinegar mix while farro cooks. 
  • When farro is done, drain and mix thoroughly with dressing and all of the freshly chopped herbs. 
  •  An assortment of embellishments would complement this salad: a pinch of cumin, golden raisins, dried cherries, chopped nuts, or enjoy it simply with the herbed dressing.

 

January 3, 2014

Emmer Farro with Arugula & Goat Cheese

farro with arugula, grain salad, best side salad
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4 people

Ingredients

For the Farro
  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt kosher or sea salt
For the Dish
  • 1 medium cucumber chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
  • 3 ounces goat cheese softened
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium shallot peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups arugula chopped

Methods

To Cook the Farro
  • Place the farro, water and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes. Drain excess water.
To Finish
  • Place the warm cooked farro in a large mixing bowl and add the olive oil and balsamic, stir to mix well.
  •  Add chopped shallot, arugula, cucumber and chevre and stir to combine all ingredients.
  • Season to taste with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Serve warm or chilled

January 3, 2014

PCC Natural Markets' Methow Valley Salad

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2 people
PCC Deli’s Methow Valley Salad has won the hearts of many. Hearty, fresh greens mixed with herbs and Bluebird’s signature Farro.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup basil oil
  • 1/4 pound roma tomatoes diced into 1/2 inch half moons
  • 1/4 cup carrots shredded
  • 1/3 pound chard and kale mixed (equal parts green kale, red kale and red chard, stems removed, cut into 1 inch pieces)

Methods

  • Soak farro in water overnight.
  • Bring water, pre-soaked farro, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 50 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool slowly at room temperature. Do not rinse.
  • When cooled, place in a large bowl and refrigerate.
  • Mix together lemon juice, garlic, dill, basil, remaining salt, pepper, and both oils until dressing is blended.
  • Toss dressing with grain, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots.
  • To serve, toss equal parts farro-vegetable mixture and loosely packed greens in a bowl.

 

January 3, 2014

Emmer Berry Salad with Fruit, Feta, and Pecans

Emmer Salad, summer farro salad, farro salad recipe,
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4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 3/4 cup feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 3/4 cup dried or fresh fruit chopped (dates, cherries, apricots, grapes, blueberries, cranberries or combo)
  • 3/4 cup pecans toasted
  • 2 cups greens torn (such as kale, arugula, spinach, beet greens or a combo)
  • 1/2 cup green onion minced
  • fresh herbs of your choice for garnish

Methods

Dressing
  • Combine 1/4 c honey, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 2 T balsamic vinegar; mix well
Salad
  • Bring a large sauce pot of water to a boil. Add emmer grain and bring to a low simmer. Cook covered for 50 minutes or until berries are plump, soft, but still chewy. Remove from heat, drain grain and set aside to cool.
  • As berries cool toss lightly with a little olive oil or rinse with cold water to cool and re-drain.
  • While grain is cooking, toast your pecans.
  • Chop cheese and dried fruits into 1/4 – 1/2 inch pieces. Chop onions and tear greens of choice into 1 inch pieces.
  • When grain is cool, combine all ingredients and toss well. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs of choice and serve with grilled meat, fish or as a vegetarian main course.

 

January 3, 2014

Farro with French Lentils, Chickpeas, Roasted Red Peppers & Swiss Chard

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4 people
This summer salad recipe celebrates the flavors of grains, peppers, and fresh garden chard while adding a protein punch! Perfect for lunch or a dinner side dish.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1/2 cup French Lentils (Or 1 cup Bluebird Einka & French Lentils and omit separate items)
  • 1 16 ounce can chickpeas drained (I never have luck cooking chickpeas!)
  • 2 large red peppers roasted
  • 1 large bunch swiss chard chopped
  • 1 small red onion chopped finely
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon squeezed
  • sea salt
  • dash cumin

Methods

  • Pre heat oven to 450.
  • On stovetop, simmer Emmer farro and French Lentils together in 4 cups of water with a dash of salt for 45-50 minutes. (if using Bluebird Einka & Lentil blend, follow directions on package) Drain excess liquid. Cool.
  • While Emmer and Lentils are cooking roast peppers in oven for 30 minutes until the skins are wrinkled and peppers are charred, turning them twice during roasting. Remove from the oven and cover tightly until they are cool enough to handle. Slice in long thin strips.
  • Chop Swiss chard and onion.
  • Combine all ingredients together. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt and sprinkle with a pinch of fresh ground cumin.

 

January 3, 2014

Farro and Grilled Stone Fruit Salad

Farro salad, summer emmer salad, farro with fruit, grain salad recipe
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4 salads
Recipe by Bi-Rite Market
This farro salad recipe makes wonderful use of stone fruits such as nectarines, peaches or plums.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro dry
  • 4-6 whole stone fruit nectarines, peaches, plums
  • 1 head fennel
  • 1/2 bunch radishes
  • 1/2 bunch chives
  • 1/2 bunch parsley minced
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Methods

  • Boil Bluebird Farro in salted water until tender, approximately 50 minutes. Drain and cool.
  • Shave fennel and radish.
  • Slice stone fruit. Grill flesh-side down for 1-1.5 minutes until showing grill marks but still firm. Quarter the halves.
  • Chop herbs. Juice and zest the lemon. Mince shallot.
  • Combine all ingredients together, add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.