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.
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
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
For the salad:
- 1 cup uncooked farro
- ¼ 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:
- Add the olive oil, cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
For the salad:
- Cook the farro according to package instructions until tender. Drain well.
- Add the warm farro and cranberries to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat. Let stand at least 10 minutes.
- Add the grapes, apples, and pears to the bowl. Toss mix and coat with dressing.
Notes
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
- Gluten Free Nothing Missing Manicotti by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- Gluten Free Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Meatballs over Courgette Noodles by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Gluten Free Pizza by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Dairy, Egg & Nut Free Balsamic Portobello Burgers by Curious Cuisinere
- Dairy, Egg, Gluten & Nut Free Mushroom Risotto Bake by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Gluten Free Enoki Mushroom & Pine Nut Quinoa by Family Foodie
- Dairy, Egg & Gluten Free Vegan Mac and "Cheese" by Webicurean
- Dairy, Egg & Nut Free Creamy Mushrooms on Pasta by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Gluten Free Persian Cucumber Yogurt by Shockingly Delicious
- Gluten Free Quinoa with Olives, Basil and Sun-dried Tomatoes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
- Dairy Free Farro and Fruit Salad by Magnolia Days
- Dairy, Egg, Gluten & Dairy Free Fattoush Salad by From the Bookshelf
- Gluten Free Chickpea Fritters by The Lovely Pantry
- Dairy, Egg, and Gluten Free Black Bean and Mango Salad by Soni's Food
- Dairy, Egg, Gluten, and Nut Free Grilled Fennel Salad by Food Lust People Love
- Dairy & Gluten Free French Bread by Blueberries and Blessings
- Dairy & Gluten Free Crunchy Almond Sesame Crackers by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
Treats
- Dairy & Gluten Free Individual Chocolate Pavlovas by The Girl in The Little Red Kitchen
- Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies by Juanita's Cocina
- Dairy, Egg & Gluten Free Apple Almond Butter Cookies by What Smells So Good?
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Almond Flour by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Nut Free Lemon Cardamom Wedding Cookies by Gourmet Drizzles
- Dairy Free Chocolate Gelato by Growing Up Gabel
- Dairy, Egg, Gluten & Sugar Free Cantaloupe, Strawberry, & Coconut Gazpacho by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Gluten Free Meringue Kisses with Dulce de Lece by Basic N Delicious
- Dairy & Egg Free Vegan Everyday Chocolate Loaf by Gotta Get Baked
- Gluten, Dairy, and Nut Free Coconut Macaroons by Happy Baking Days
- Dairy, Egg, Gluten & Soy Free Tastes like Chocolate Ice Cream by Cookistry
- Gluten Free Mousse & Cookies by Ninja Baking
- Gluten Free Brown Butter Snickerdooles by Pies and Plots
- Dairy, Egg & Soy Free Chai Spice Coconut Ice Cream by Daily Dish Recipes
- Gluten Free Lemonade Dip by The Messy Baker
- Nut & Fat Free Chocolate Angel Food Cake by Table for Seven
Drinks
- Gluten & Dairy Free Honey Bear Smoothies by Neighborfood
- Sugar Free Strawberry Meyer Lemonade by The Weekend Gourmet
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?
Renee - this is the most beautiful post. Thank you so much for honoring my girls with your beautiful recipe. I am all teary eyed. This is the most beautiful gift; I cannot wait to tell both my girls and make your beautiful salad for them. Thank you!!! ~ Bea
You are welcome Bea! I admire everything you do for your girls and know they are so lucky to have such a loving and caring mom.
Brilliant how you've juxtaposed the crunchy and the squishy, the bite of vinegar with the heady honey, Renee. A master of contrasts at play whether in the kitchen or behind the camera =) Bravo!
You are so kind Kim and your comments make my day.
I haven't tried farro yet but this salad looks like a perfect way to try it
Thanks Laura!
I could eat watermelon daily if it was available. There was a time when I spent all the summers eating it for breakfast. It´s weird how allergies can develop out of the blue. I´ve yet to try farro. Probably because I haven´t seen it and forget to ask for it, otherwise I would´ve grabbed a bag. I love grains, and this salad is terrific Renee, doesn´t sound like a restriction to me!
Watermelon is so abundant here and I see it everywhere in the summer. I wish I could eat it too. Farro is becoming more easily available so look for it at your market or grocery store. Then there is also online...
It must be fate. I was given a small bag of farro at BlogHer Food, just yesterday, and your salad looks so beautiful with all the colors of that lovely fruit. This would make a great breakfast, healthy and filling. I am so sorry that you can't eat watermelon anymore but this salad would make up for it!
What a nice thing to have farro in your swag bag from BlogHer Food. You have to cook it soon.
What a gorgeous and thoughtful salad. I still have yet to try farro...I neeeeed to remedy that!
Oh yes Jen, you need to remedy not having farro yet. I can see you really loving it and coming up with kicking recipes for it too.
I was very surprised to learn that there were so many people out there having food allergies when I started out as a food blogger. It's just that I don't know anybody in real life who is suffering from a food intolerance. wow watermelon Renee? Can you eat other melons? that sucks...
I have no clue what farro is, but I ll keep an eye out for it.
I can eat other melons with no problems. It must be something in the watermelon.
Aw. What a sweet post, Renee 🙂 Farro is my favorite grain, and I can just imagine how awesome this tastes!
Thank you Heather!
Wow! This looks great! I've been wanting to try farro, and you've given me a great place to start!
Thanks Martin!
I wish I had known about farro and quinoa YEARS ago...love them both. Your salad sounds spectacular!!!!
I've known farro for a long time but just recently discovered quinoa. Both are so great and I really should make them more often.
This is such a beautiful post and stories. I am excited to give farro a try, and love all the wonderful flavors and textures in this recipe! Beautiful photos too, as always!
Thank you so much for your compliment on my photos! You made my day.
Lovely post. I love farro and just love the wonderful flavor combos and textures here!
Thank you Andrea!
I tried farro for the first time this year and love it. What a beautiful and delicious salad.
Thanks Amanda!
I just started experimenting with farro a few months ago, and I'm loving it! Your salad looks light and refreshing--can't wait to try it!
Experimenting with farro sounds like a fun thing to do. It's a great base for lots of flavor combos.
I have never tried farro..it's looks yummy!
Do try it soon Erin - I'm sure you would like it very much.
This salad is lovely Renee! I'm utterly amazed by the number of allergies effecting people these days. My daughter had a peanut allergy and I'm sure she would simply love this! I'll be making it for us to try soon.
It is amazing as to how many people have food allergies these days. I wonder if they will ever find out what is causing them to be so prevalent.
This looks like it would be great warm or cold, or breakfast or dessert!
It sure is. I ate some of the leftovers cold right out of the refrigerator.
I've never thought of doing a fruit salad with a grain, what a good idea! I love the combination of flavors.
The grain adds a heartiness to the fruit. It really is a wonderful combination.
Farro is in my list, this would be a nice way to try it.
Oh yes. It really makes the flavor and texture of farro shine.
Wow! This recipe would be perfect for breakfast, lunch or snacks!! I love it, very creative!
Thank you Jennifer! It's a real compliment coming from you since you have such good and healthy recipes.
I've never made farro - this looks like a great way to try it out!
Yes, it is a great way to start with farro. Try this and then one more savory.
Love farrow and I've never thought to have it for breakfast-will do soon!
This salad is good for any time of the day. This for breakfast would really keep you fueled up and going for a long time.
Such a delicious recipe and I'm sure my kids would really enjoy a bowl of this!Love the fruits and the dressing and cannot wait to try 🙂
Thanks Soni!
This looks great Renee! I've never had farro before, but you've inspired me to try it!
Thanks Isabel and I do hope you try farro soon.
This sounds so good & filling ! I could eat this for a meal ! Very pretty salad too.
Thanks Sue! I could eat it as a meal too. One great thing about farro is that it is filling and keeps you satisfied for a long time.
Renee, it makes me so sad that you can't have watermelon anymore! There's nothing more summery or refreshing than icy cold watermelon on a hot day - I totally feel for you. At least you have this yummy,healthy salad as as replacement. I've never had farro before. I need to make this recipe and try it out!
Sometimes I see watermelon and want it so much. There are so many watermelon recipes that come up during the summer. I hope you try farro soon. I'm sure you would enjoy it very much.
This looks wonderful! I have been trying all different kinds of grains and now I can't wait to try farro!
You'll really enjoy farro if you have been eating other grains. It's my favorite of all of them.
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.
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.
Very pretty, Renee! Fruit and grain salads rock!
Thanks Cindy and I totally agree!
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!
Oh Lyn, you have to try farro. I know you would love it.
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!
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.
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!
Dealing with food allergies is tough at first and then gets easier. I hope all goes well with your nephew.