ITALIAN FLAG FARRO SALAD

Looking for a yummy, new side dish to bring to your next picnic? Well, here it is! No need to worry about letting this salad sit out on a buffet, since it's not a mayonnaise covered potato or macaroni salad. The farro and edemame in it are 2 foods high in protein, and low in calories. Plus, this dish is great as a make-ahead meal, since it needs to sit in the fridge and cool down anyways. This light, healthy salad is perfect for your next hot summer meal!

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb farro
1 cup edemame, shelled
4 inches of an english cucumber, cut into small cubes
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into small cubes
1/4 cup red onion, diced small
4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup plus 3 tbs red wine vinegar
extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
-put the farro into a medium sized pot
-fill pot with water, about an inch over the farro
-bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low/simmer and give a quick stir
-cover with a tight fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes
-poor farro into a colander and drain off excess water
-once drained, poor farro into a large mixing bowl
-add 3 tbs of red wine vinegar and 2 tbs olive oil while farro is still hot
-place in fridge for atleast 1/2 hour until mixture is cooled
-once cooled, mix in red pepper, cucumber, edemame, onions, feta, and 1/4 cup vinegar
-season with about 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
-serve cooled, and enjoy!

serves approximately 8-10 people as a side dish

[raw farro grain]

SHOUT OUTS:
this recipe was inspired from a picture off an advertisement out of a magazine

TIPS AND ADAPTATIONS:
-mix up the mix-ins: add black beans, carrots, and tomatoes to the items listed above or make it greek style by using kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, feta, and cucumbers
-make it the day before; just simply add the peppers, cucumbers, edemame, onions, feta, and additional vinegar just before you serve it
-farro should be found by the whole grain section of the grocery store, near the rices or in the organic section
-whole grains: wheatberries, barley, and quinoa and pastas: cous cous or orzo can replace the farro if need be