
Emmer Ancient Grain
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
This is a whole grain Farro and will have a chewier texture. Farro is an Ancient Grain being that it originated in the Fertile Crescent region. It has a lot of fiber along with Vitamin B3 and Zinc.
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Emmer
- 1/2 cup of celery cut on the bias
- 1/4 cup of minced shallots
- 3/4 cup of yams that have been peeled and cut into 1/2 “ cubes
- 1 cup of peeled butternut squash or pumpkin cut into 1/2 “ cubes
- 3/4 cup of scallions cut on bias
- 1 cup of pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup of chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint chiffonade (optional)
- 2 lemons grate the skin and juice of just one of the lemons
- 1 orange grate and juice
- salt and pepper for seasoning
- good olive oil for sautéing and salad
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350º
-
Place the Emmer on a sheet pan in the oven for 6-10 minutes.The emmer should just be plain. You want to toast it to bring out the flavor. It should be lightly browned and start to have a nutty flavor when it is toasting.
-
•Let cool.
-
Bring a large pot of water (at least 6 cups) to a boil.
-
Add in the emmer and let simmer for at 60 minutes. The emmer should plump up a little. It should also absorb at least 1/4 of the water.
-
Drain and let cool on a sheet pan.
-
Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle the emmer with salt. Set aside.
-
In a medium size sauté pan, add 3 T. of olive oil.
-
When the pan starts to get hot, add in the squash or pumpkin, sauté for 5 minutes
-
Add in the parsnips, and celery.
-
Place into a 350º oven for 6 minutes. You want to make sure the pumpkin is cooked through.
-
Take out of the oven and set aside.
-
Optional:You could also cover with a lid and leave on low
-
heat on the stove to cook the vegetables instead of the oven. Stir occasionally.
-
In a large bowl, add the cooked emmer and vegetables from the sauté pan.
-
Give a stir and add in the scallions, pomegranate seeds, the juice and zest of the lemon and orange, mint, parsley, shallots and at least 1/4 cup of olive oil.
-
Taste for seasoning. If you feel the salad needs a little more acidity, use half of the second lemon and add a little more olive oil if necessary.
Recipe Notes
You could also replace the yam with a parsnip. I also like to use a Japanese Yam if possible. It is white when peeled. I also sometimes sprinkle this salad with Feta cheese. Serve at room temperature if possible.