grain & seasonal vegetable salad

"I’ve shared this dish because it’s great for the home cook. It’s flexible, adaptable, and you can use whatever veg and herbs you have. The freekeh and farro give it great texture." - Joel Alderdice

Author

Joel Alderdice, Tarrawarra Estate

Servings

4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Mount Zero Biodynamic Pearled Farro
• 1 cup Mount Zero Wholegrain Freekeh
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup fresh ricotta
• ¼ cup Mount Zero Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Mount Zero Pink Lake Salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• ½ bunch parsley, torn
• ¼ bunch mint leaves, torn
• ½ cup roasted almonds, chopped
• 1 part sherry vinegar
• 4 parts Mount Zero Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Your favourite vegetables, e.g. blanched asparagus, peas, broad beans, sliced baby carrots, roasted beetroot, radishes or spring onion

Directions

1. Lightly toast grains in a pan on low flame for a few minutes.
2. Cook until tender, roughly 30 – 45 minutes. Cool.
3. Place ricotta, salt and pepper in a food processor and run until smooth.
4. Slowly pour in the olive oil while the machine is running. Blend until smooth. Chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
5. Whisk all ingredients until combined.
6. Mix the cold grains with the herbs, almonds, and chopped vegetables.
7. Dress the salad generously with the sherry vinegar dressing. 
8. Place the whipped ricotta on a large serving dish and spread out in an even layer, then top with salad.
9. Enjoy as is, or serve next to some grilled meat and flatbread.