Farro is a type of wheat that was an important component of the Roman Empire’s diet, but it fell somewhat out of favor when more refined wheat products became plentiful in Italy. You’ll still find it on a lot of Italian tables, though, and especially in soups and salads such as this one. Farro is available in Italian markets and gourmet grocery stores, but brown rice or barley could also be used in this recipe.

　　

Ingredients

6 side-dish servings

　　10 ounces farro (about 1 1/2 cups)

　　2 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

　　1 large garlic clove, minced

　　2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

　　1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　2 medium-sized tomatoes, seeded and chopped

　　1/2 medium-size sweet onion (such as Walla Walla), finely chopped

　　1/4 cup snipped fresh chives

　　1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

　　

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water and farro. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the farro is almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and simmer until the farro is tender, about 10 minutes longer. Drain well, then transfer to a large bowl and let cool.

　　

Step 2

In a medium bowl, mash the garlic with 1/4 teaspoon of salt to make a paste. Whisk in the vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, then the oil. Add the tomatoes, onion, chives, and parsley to the farro and toss to combine. Add the vinaigrette to the salad and toss to coat. Season the salad with more salt and pepper to taste. (The salad can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

　　Reprinted with permission from Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2005 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.