A delicious Summer Grain Salad recipe with grilled zucchini, corn, feta cheese, tomatoes and basil vinaigrette!
Ingredients
Basil Vinaigrette:
1cupfresh basil leavespacked
¼cup+ 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
2teaspoonsrice vinegar
1teaspoongarlicminced
1teaspoonfresh lemon juice
1teaspoonshallotminced
⅛teaspoonlemon zest
⅛teaspoonkosher saltmore to taste
⅛teaspoonground black pepper
Farro Bowl:
4cupswater
½cupuncooked farro
2medium zucchinicut into spears
2earssweet cornshucked
1-2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
1teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
2cupscherry tomatoeshalved
1cupfresh arugulamore, if desired
½cupfeta cheesemore if desired (or make whipped feta)*
Instructions
Cook Farro: Add 4 cups water to a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Rinse ½ cup uncooked farro. Add farro to water. Return to boil then reduce to a simmer for 25-30 minutes. Drain off excess water.
Make Basil Vinaigrette: In a small blender or food processor, add 1 cup fresh basil leaves, ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon shallot, ⅛ teaspoon lemon zest, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, and ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt. Blend until consistency is smooth. Taste and add additional salt as needed for flavor or add additional olive oil to thin.
Grill Veggies: Drizzle zucchini and corn with 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and rub all over to coat. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Ensure grill grates are clean and set grill to medium-high heat. Grill corn and zucchini over direct heat until charred a bit. Zucchini: 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway. Corn: 8-12 minutes, rotating occasionally. Transfer to cutting board. Dice zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Cut kernels away from the cob.
Make Salad: In a large bowl, add cooked and drained farro, 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 1 cup fresh arugula, zucchini, corn and ½ cup feta cheese. Add in basil viniagrette and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Additional Serving Option: feel free to make a batch of our whipped feta and put some down in a shallow bowl. Serve the grain salad on top for a delicious variation!
*Feta: feel free to use a dairy-free feta cheese or regular.
Double the Dressing: option to double the basil vinaigrette if you want it extra saucy!
Storage: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Make Ahead: if you are going to meal prep this salad, wait and add the vinaigrette before serving to keep the farro from get soggy.