Pickled Cherry and Farro Salad

TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES

SERVES: 6

Ingredients

Pickled Cherries: 

·    ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

·    1/8 cup balsamic vinegar

·    2 tablespoons sugar

·    1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

·    ½ teaspoon whole coriander seeds

·    ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes

·    1/3 cup water

·    1/2 lb cherries ( about 2 cups)

Salad:

·    2 cups cooked farro (or grain of choice)

·    ½ cup Italian parsley, chopped

·    ½ cup mint, chopped

·    ½ cup basil, chopped

·    1 teaspoon lemon zest

·    2–3 scallions, finely chopped

·    ½ cup toasted almonds

·    ¼– ½ cup crumbled chevre goat cheese

·    Serve the farro salad over tender greens

Vinaigrette:

·    ¼  cup olive oil

·    ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

·    ½ teaspoon vanilla

·    ½ teaspoon pepper

·    ½  teaspoon salt

Instructions

Start your farro (or grain of choice) cooking.  This can be done hours ahead or a day or two before and refrigerated until ready to use.  If you are making the salad all at one time, when the grain has finished cooking, scoop onto a tray or shallow pan to cool more quickly.  (It can be a little warm still but not too hot that it will cook the fresh herbs.)

Slice the cherries in half, remove pits and place in a pint-sized jar or container.

In a saucepan combine the first 7 ingredients (apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, sugar, black pepper, coriander, red pepper flakes and water) and bring to a boil, simmer 3-4 minutes.  Pour hot brine over the cherries.  Set aside for at least 30 minutes.  (A few hours will develop flavor even more.  These will keep in the fridge for a few months.)

Whisk together the vinaigrette.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add parsley, mint, basil, lemon zest and scallions to the cooked grain.  Toss with half of the vinaigrette.  Serve over tender salad greens, adding more vinaigrette to taste. Top with the pickled cherries, toasted almonds, and goat cheese.

Recipe by from Tonia Schemmel.