Mediterranean Farro Bowl (Print)

Hearty farro with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini dressing

# Components:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro, rinsed
02 - 2.5 cups vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
07 - 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 cups baby spinach

→ Protein

09 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas

→ Tahini Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons tahini
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 1 tablespoon water, plus more as needed
14 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
15 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnishes

17 - 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Method:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine farro and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until farro is tender. Drain excess liquid if necessary and set aside to cool slightly.
02 - While the farro cooks, prepare all vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, dicing cucumber and bell pepper, slicing Kalamata olives and red onion, and measuring spinach and cooked chickpeas.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, water, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add additional water if dressing is too thick.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cooked farro, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, red onion, spinach, and chickpeas.
05 - Drizzle tahini dressing over the bowl and toss gently to combine. Divide among serving bowls and top with crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms humble pantry grains into something that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a solo dinner.
  • The tahini dressing clings to every ingredient without being heavy or overpowering.
  • You can prep the components ahead and toss everything together when hunger strikes.
  • It tastes even better the next day after the flavors have mingled in the fridge.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the farro, it removes any dusty residue that can make the finished dish taste gritty.
  • The tahini dressing will thicken as it sits, so whisk in a splash of water before serving leftovers.
  • If you add the spinach while the farro is hot, it will wilt into the bowl, which some people love and others don't, so adjust timing to your preference.
03 -
  • Toast the farro in a dry pan for a few minutes before cooking it in broth to deepen its nutty flavor.
  • Make a double batch of the tahini dressing and keep it in a jar, it's perfect for drizzling over roasted vegetables or using as a dip.
  • If your tahini dressing tastes bitter, add a pinch of honey or maple syrup to balance it out.
Back