Hello everybody!! I just got back from Florida and couldn’t believe how much everything has bloomed in our part of the country! It’s beautiful! I’m excited to start bringing you some summer posts!! But, for now, let’s start with spring. Today’s post is from my new cookbook, obtained at the local library book sale! I love this cookbook. In fact, I love it so much I’m looking at a couple others from the publisher. I’ll keep you posted on that.
While I was in Florida (where my dad lives in the winter), I didn’t make the healthiest food choices. It’s funny -it never used to bother me when I ate like crap. Now, a day or two of that and I do not feel right! I was really happy to get back on track now that I’m home and bring you this delicious salad!
This dish did not call for any type of lettuce/greens. I chose to add baby spinach and it was an excellent choice!! In addition, we will need cannellini beans, farro, snap peas, olive or avocado oil, lemon juice, a shallot, black olives, Dijon mustard, and little tomatoes.
To start, cook the farro since that will take the longest. While that cooks, we can whip up the dressing…
For the dressing, add the oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard to a bowl. Whisk it together. Chop up the shallot into small pieces and whisk that into the mixture.
Set the dressing aside. Add the spinach to a bowl. This will be the base. Next, drain and rinse the cannellini beans (if you are using canned). Add those to the spinach. You can also add the black olives at this point. Black olives are a funny thing-people either like them or hate them. There’s no in-between. Mr. FBBQ can’t stand them.
Next, cut the little tomatoes in half and add them to the beans/spinach/olives.
You will need to steam the snap peas. Once they’re done, remove the strings and cut them up. They can go in the mix too!
Next, add the farro. I told Mr. FBBQ that this dish was the closest I’ve ever come to having the final product look similar to the photo in the cookbook.
Lastly, add the dressing! This dressing was a bit oily for my tastes. It doesn’t help that I put way too much on my salad. Mr. FBBQ suggested maybe adding the dressing with a fork. I’ll try that next time. At least until I know I like it.
I hope you enjoy this dish! I look forward to bringing you another great meal next Monday!!!