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Farro and Fruit Salad for #SundaySupper

Farro and Fruit Salad | Magnolia Days

Oh those long ago simple summer days. A visit from my aunt, uncle, and cousins always meant some type of special summer dessert or treat. My dad and uncle would hand churn ice cream. Or my dad would have a watermelon chilling in the refrigerator. He had a knack for picking out a perfect melon. It would split as he pierced it with a knife as if it was bursting open. The juices flowed onto the newspapers he spread out for cutting. We sprinkled salt on our wedges and bit into the sweet fruit and spit out the seeds. Those memories arise each time I see or smell watermelon. However, I can no longer enjoy one because of some crazy allergy or reaction which causes me to have nausea.

There are so many food allergies and intolerances. My nephew cannot eat nuts. Gluten wreaks havoc with many people. Those with a condition called galactosemia cannot have diary. Such is the case with the daughters of my friend, Bea of The Not So Cheesy Kitchen. Bea is the host of our “Free For All” Sunday Supper event today. It is all about recipes for special dietary needs and eating plans. My contribution is this farro and fruit salad.

Farro and Fruit Salad | Magnolia Days

Bea’s daughters were the inspiration for my recipe. I remember one of Bea’s posts about how she planted a tree for each of her daughters when they were born. They are both espalier trees; one is an apple and the other is a pear. I thought that was the most wonderful idea. What a way to watch how both grow throughout the years. My recipe is dairy-free and is also nut-free (as a nod to my nephew). I’m sure it fits into other “free” categories however I would not want to make any claims I am not absolutely sure about.

Farro and fruit salad can be a side or a snack. The chewy, nutty farro balances with the crisp apple and pear, juicy grapes, and tart cranberries. I used small organic black grapes. You could also use red or green seedless grapes. Pink lady apples and d’anjou pears were my choice for the salad. Any apple or pear would do nicely. A simple cider vinaigrette is whisked together and soaks into the warm farro and dried cranberries. It is then tossed together with the fruit and ready to eat.

Do you have food allergies or on a special diet? Scroll down to find all the “Free For All” recipes by the Sunday Supper bloggers. I’m sure there is something for you. Now if only one day I can enjoy a juicy, sweet watermelon again.

Farro and Fruit Salad

A recipe for a salad made with farro and mixed fruits including apple, grapes, and cranberries. It is tossed with a homemade cider vinegar dressing.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

For the salad:

  • 1 cup uncooked farro
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup seedless grapes halved if large
  • 1 small apple cored and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 small pear cored and cut into bite-size pieces

Instructions

For the dressing:

  1. Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Whisk to combine.

For the salad:

  1. Cook the farro according to package instructions until tender. Drain well.
  2. Add the warm farro and cranberries to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat. Let stand at least 10 minutes.
  3. Add the grapes, apples, and pears to the bowl. Toss mix and coat with dressing.

Recipe Notes

A recipe for a salad made with farro and mixed fruits including apple, grapes, and cranberries. It is tossed with a homemade cider vinegar dressing.

It’s a “Free For All” Sunday Supper! We have recipes that are dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, fat-free, sugar-free, egg-free, soy-free and more:

Breakfast

  • Dairy, Egg, Gluten, Nut & Soy Free Brown Rice Breakfast Pudding by girlichef
  • Dairy & Nut and Sugar Free Blueberry Tangerine Muffins by Vintage Kitchen
  • Dairy, Egg, Gluten, Nut, and Soy Free Homemade Mango Jam Recipe by Masala Herb

Main Courses

Sides
Breads

Treats

Drinks

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement

 

I’ll be at the Food and Wine Conference in Orlando – will you be there?

Recipe Rating




Peggy

Wednesday 12th of June 2013

What a great meal! I'm thankful that I'm not allergic to any foods (don't think I could quite handle that!), but my brother and sister-in-law just found out their 1 year old is allergic to eggs, so I'm intrigued to see how that learning process goes!

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Dealing with food allergies is tough at first and then gets easier. I hope all goes well with your nephew.

Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere

Wednesday 12th of June 2013

I have yet to try farro, but I'm loving the sound of this salad. Now all I have to do is find some so I can make this!

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

I used to only find farro in certain stores but now I see it in regular grocery stores. Look for it in the rice section.

Lyn @LovelyPantry

Tuesday 11th of June 2013

I have yet to try farro, but I have seen it and thought about it but wasn't sure of the taste, texture etc. Now that I have seen how lovely it is and how well it pairs with fruit...I believe I am sold. Sorry you can't have watermelon anymore. Hold on to those dear memories!

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Oh Lyn, you have to try farro. I know you would love it.

Cindys Recipes and Writings

Tuesday 11th of June 2013

Very pretty, Renee! Fruit and grain salads rock!

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Thanks Cindy and I totally agree!

Susan

Monday 10th of June 2013

I bet the nutty flavor of the farro pairs beautifully with the fruit. Something I would never think of putting together but it sounds really good.

Renee

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Oh yes, it did pair beautifully. I ate every bit of the salad. It took me a few days but I wasn't letting a single bite go to waste.