FARRO SALAD WITH BASIL TAHINI DRESSING

GOOD FRIDAY IS GOOD BECAUSE IT REMINDS US THAT THE GOOD IS OFTEN PAINFUL; THAT GOD’S WILL FOR OUR LIVES DEMANDS THAT WE LOVE UNTIL IT HURTS.

We are closing this year's lent season this weekend and I thought what better way than to share an amazing vegan recipe with you all. This Farro Salad with Basil Tahini Dressing is a delicious salad that healthy, hearty, and easy to make. Plus, it can be made ahead of time. I love making farro salads. I make Farro salads often, using different ingredients and dressings every time. I've share two farro salad recipes before: FARRO SALAD WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, HERBS, ROASTED YELLOW SQUASH, & PISTACHIOS and ROASTED VEGETABLE AND FARRO SALAD WITH CREAMY GARLIC VINAIGRETTE. Farro supplies you with more than 10 different vitamins and minerals and is lower in gluten than most wheat. It improves your immunity and heart health, and we all need that these days. This salad is colorful with an array of textures, fresh, and rich as a result of the tahini. To be honest, I'm glad there was any of this salad left after I kept “tasting” spoonfuls at a time out of the bowl!

Ingredients:

Farro Salad

• 2 cups Farro

• 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 4 cucumbers, diced

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in quarters

• 2 bunches scallions, white and green parts, minced

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

Basil & Lemon Tahini Dressing

• 1/2 cup tahini

• 1/4 cup basil loosely packed

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Farro Salad

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add farro and cook for 20-25 minutes, until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl stir together the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, scallions, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes.

3. Add the cooled farro, stir the salad well, and chill, covered, for 1 hour.

Basil & Lemon Tahini Dressing

1. In a high powered blender, combine all ingredients.

2. Blend on high until you have a smooth, creamy sauce.

3. Add up to ¼ cup more water (blending again to incorporate) until you get the thickness you like. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

4. Pour over salad ingredients, toss, and enjoy!