Broccoli, Farro & Feta Salad for #MeatlessMonday

I made this yesterday for the girls in the office today.  As usual, I tasted a spoonful, to make sure it came out okay.  Oh my goodness.  I had to immediately pack up the salad and stow it in the fridge so I couldn’t have a second, third and fourth bite.  I know this will be a hit for today’s lunch and I will definitely be doubling the batch the next time I make it!

I’m serving it with a Roasted Butternut Squash Soup.  A healthy menu to kick off fall!

Roasted Broccoli and Farro Salad with Feta

printable version

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup farro
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1 lb. broccoli
• 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 Tbs. red wine vinegar

Directions

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F. In a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Bring the farro to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat, cover and let sit about 10 minutes.  Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, remove the broccoli crown from the stem and cut into bitesize florets. Toss the stems or use them in a chicken or vegetable broth. In a baking dish, toss the florets with 2 Tbs. of olive oil. Roast until tender and browned in spots, about one hour. Add the broccoli, feta, scallions, red pepper flakes, and parsley to the farro. Sprinkle with the vinegar and 1 tsp. salt and toss. Drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil and toss. Season to taste with more vinegar and salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.

You won’t miss the meat!

Related articles

• Farro Greek Salad (tammycirceo.typepad.com)
• Farro Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Caramelized Onions (vegetarianventures.com)
• farro with chard, cannellini beans and kalamata olives (plumsintheicebox.typepad.com)

You Say Potato, I Say Frittata

I made this delicious fritatta at the lake on Mother’s Day — for my mother and grandmother.  (Daddy, too)  I think roasting the broccoli before throwing all the ingredients together really brought out the flavor.  Throw in Patak beef  bacon and you’re sure to have a crowd pleaser.

Broccoli, Bacon & Cheese Frittata

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• ½  cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Large head of broccoli, chopped into florets and roasted w/ evoo (Use or add other veggies like onions, spinach, asparagus, etc.)
• 2 slices Patak beef bacon (Or about 5 slices “regular” bacon.  You can also use ham or Canadian bacon.), cooked and coarsed chopped

 Directions

Position an oven rack in the upper part of the oven and preheat the broiler. Whisk the eggs, 3 tablespoons of the cheese, the milk, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to taste together in a bowl.

 Heat the olive oil in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli and bacon, and heat through, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, pour the egg mixture into the skillet, stirring gently to distribute the fillings evenly. Cover, and cook until the bottom sets, but does not get too brown, about 9 minutes. Remove the cover, scatter the remaining 1 tablespoon of cheese over the surface. Run the frittata under the broiler until the top sets and browns slightly, about 1 minute. Let sit for about 5 minutes, then cut into squares.  Serve warm or room temperature.

Patak beef bacon

Before going in the oven

Post-oven

Breakfast is served - Happy Mother's Day!