Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad: A Hearty, Healthy, and Flavorful Meal
Prepare to have your culinary perceptions delightfully challenged! This incredibly easy and remarkably hearty salad, featuring shaved Brussels sprouts, chewy farro, crunchy hazelnuts, sweet dried cranberries, and tangy goat cheese, is an absolute triumph. It’s perfectly suited for a satisfying lunch that will keep you energized, or a light yet fulfilling dinner that’s bursting with flavor and texture. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a complete, wholesome, and utterly delicious meal in itself.
Embracing a New Culinary Journey: Beyond Baking
You might be surprised to find a non-baking, non-dessert recipe gracing these pages, a direction I honestly never anticipated. For a long time, I was content nestled within my little blogging niche, happily sharing my passion for all things sweet. However, over time, I started to feel as though I was only sharing a fraction of my culinary self with you, my wonderful readers.
While my love for baking remains at the heart of this blog, I’m also a pretty decent cook when it comes to savory dishes, and I’ve realized it’s time to expand our horizons together. Baking will always hold a special place and remain center-stage, but you’ll now begin to see delightful recipes like this Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad making appearances every now and then. This shift allows me to explore and share more of the diverse flavors and cooking techniques I genuinely enjoy, offering you an even broader spectrum of deliciousness.
The Genesis of a Salad: A Love Affair with Brussels Sprouts
This particular salad truly blossomed from my deep and abiding affection for Brussels sprouts. For months, almost every weekday lunch since November, these humble green globes have been a staple in my diet. My absolute favorite way to prepare them is to slice them thinly and sauté them in just a touch of butter or olive oil until their edges achieve a beautiful golden-brown crispness. This method transforms them from a sometimes-maligned vegetable into something truly irresistible – tender on the inside, wonderfully crunchy on the outside, and subtly sweet.
Even after countless meals, I’m nowhere near tired of my lunchtime Brussels sprouts regimen. However, my culinary curiosity naturally led me to experiment with enhancing them by adding other complementary ingredients. Farro was an immediate, obvious choice; it’s another current obsession of mine, known for its satisfying chewiness and nutty flavor. The dried cranberries, crunchy hazelnuts, and creamy goat cheese were all spontaneous, pantry-inspired additions. As I combined these elements, I quickly discovered that the overall combination was absolutely spot-on – a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that elevated the simple Brussels sprouts to an entirely new level.
The Perfect Balance: Flavors and Textures that Delight
What makes this Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad so incredibly satisfying? It’s the thoughtful interplay of its components, creating a dish that is both complex and comforting. The tender, slightly crispy shaved Brussels sprouts provide a fresh, earthy base. Cooked al dente, the farro adds a substantial, wholesome element with its delightful, chewy texture and subtle, nutty undertones. This ancient grain is not only delicious but also a fantastic source of fiber and protein, making the salad remarkably filling without feeling heavy.
Then come the star additions that elevate this salad to gourmet status. Toasted hazelnuts introduce a wonderful crunch and a rich, earthy flavor that complements the farro beautifully. Dried cranberries offer bursts of sweet-tartness, cutting through the savory notes and adding a vibrant touch of color and chewiness. Finally, crumbled goat cheese provides a creamy, tangy counterpoint that brings all the flavors together, adding a luxurious mouthfeel and a zesty finish. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to a symphony of flavors and textures that will keep you coming back for more.
I’ve been enjoying this exact recipe for several weeks now, and my enthusiasm for it shows no signs of waning. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, remarkably filling, and frankly, I love it so much that I genuinely look forward to lunch every day it’s on the menu. This salad is a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. Now do you understand why I simply *had* to share it with you?
Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad with Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese
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Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked farro (85 grams)
- 3 cups brussels sprouts , shredded (250 grams)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ⅓ cup hazelnuts , chopped and toasted (45 grams)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (28 grams)
- 1 ounce goat cheese , broken into pieces (28 grams)
Instructions
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Cook the farro in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
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Heat the olive oil in a saute pan set over medium-high heat. Add the brussels sprouts and sprinkle with the salt. Cook the brussels sprouts (without stirring) until the edges begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir the brussels sprouts and cook for another 2 minutes until cooked but still firm. Stir in the balsamic vinegar.
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Add the cooked farro and stir until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the hazelnuts and dried cranberries. Top with the pieces of goat cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
Tips for Success and Customization
To ensure your Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad turns out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips:
- Shredding Brussels Sprouts: For evenly thin shreds, use a mandoline slicer (with caution and a guard!), the slicing attachment of a food processor, or simply a sharp knife to carefully slice them. This ensures they cook quickly and crisp up nicely.
- Perfectly Cooked Farro: Just like pasta, farro should be cooked until al dente – tender but still with a slight bite. Overcooked farro can become mushy, so keep an eye on it.
- Toasting Hazelnuts: Don’t skip this step! Toasting hazelnuts brings out their full, rich flavor and enhances their crunch. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently, or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. Let them cool, then chop.
- Balsamic Vinegar Quality: A good quality balsamic vinegar can make a noticeable difference in the flavor profile of the salad. It adds a touch of acidity and sweetness that brightens the whole dish.
This salad is also incredibly versatile, allowing for easy customization:
- Add Protein: For an even more substantial meal, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, baked salmon, or even crispy tofu.
- Different Cheeses: While goat cheese provides a unique tang, crumbled feta or a shaving of Parmesan would also be delicious.
- Vary the Nuts/Seeds: Pecans, walnuts, or even pumpkin seeds could substitute for hazelnuts.
- Other Dried Fruits: Dried cherries or apricots could replace cranberries for a different sweet note.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving would add extra freshness.
Why This Salad Deserves a Spot in Your Rotation
In a world where healthy eating often feels like a chore, this Brussels Sprouts and Farro Salad stands out as a vibrant, delicious, and genuinely enjoyable option. It’s a testament to the fact that nutritious meals can also be incredibly flavorful and satisfying. With its balanced profile of savory, sweet, tangy, and nutty notes, alongside a delightful mix of tender and crunchy textures, this salad checks all the boxes for an extraordinary meal. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, sophisticated enough for guests, and versatile enough to adapt to your preferences.
From the moment the earthy Brussels sprouts hit the pan and begin to caramelize, to the final scattering of tangy goat cheese, every step in making this salad is a pleasure. It’s an ideal recipe for anyone looking to incorporate more wholesome grains and nutrient-dense vegetables into their diet without sacrificing taste. So, whether you’re a long-time fan of Brussels sprouts or looking for a way to fall in love with them, this salad promises a delightful culinary experience that will quickly become a cherished favorite.