winter salad

Jeanette Chen, a resident of New Canaan for 20 years, is the busy mom of 4 boys and author of a popular health and wellness food blog, Jeanette’s Healthy Living. She’s off to a healthy start to the New Year with this kid approved Warm Kale, Farro and Winter Fruit Salad, packed with goodness. Farro is a whole grain that looks a little like barley, and retains a soft but chewy texture when cooked. It is rich in fiber, magnesium and vitamins A, B, C, and E.
Warm Kale, Farro and Winter Fruit Salad
Yield: 6
Use your favorite vinegar and dried fruits. Fresh cut apples or clementines would also be nice.
Ingredients

• 1 cup semi-pearled farro
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate vinegar or your favorite fruit flavored vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried figs, quartered
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups chopped kale leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/4 cup crumbled aged goat cheese or regular goat cheese

Directions

1. Place farro and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook, covered, for 20-25 minutes until tender (but still chewy). Drain, rinse and drain again. Place in a large bowl and toss with vinegar, honey, dried cranberries and dried figs.
2. In a large saute pan, heat olive oil and add kale leaves. Saute 1-2 minutes until kale is just tender. Add to farro, along with salt, pine nuts and goat cheese. Toss well and serve.