Spelt Salad with chicken

The spelt salad with chicken is a dish delicate, fresh and light; perfect for the summer. The balsamic vinegar gives it a special touch and makes it very yummy. The spelt salad can be paired with a fine red Tuscan wine, to be served fresh.

Doge

Ingredients

  • 2 cups spelt (semi-pearled farro, or whole wheat berries, rinsed)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)
  • 21/2 tsps curry powder
  • 2 tsps yellow mustard seeds
  • 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 3/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 6 carrots (small, peeled, cut into 1/4" dice)
  • ground black pepper (Freshly)
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup purple onion (thinly sliced, about 1/2 large onion)
  • 1/2 lemon (cut lengthwise, ends removed, finely chopped with peel, about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded, from 1 rotisserie chicken; optional)
  • 2 cups arugula (baby or wild)
  • 2 cups cilantro sprigs (packed, with tender stems plus more for garnish)
  • 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • Difficulty: simple
     
  • Preparation: 20/25 min.

 

Procedure:

Place spelt and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium pot. Add water to cover by 1 1/2". Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until spelt is tender and water is mostly absorbed, about 1 hour (or 12-15 minutes if using semi-pearled farro). Drain; place in a large bowl.

Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add curry, mustard seeds, cardamom, and coriander; cook, stirring often, until spices are fragrant and mustard seeds begin to pop, 2-3 minutes. Stir in carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until carrots are crisp-tender, 5-6 minutes.

Stir in onion and lemon. Remove pan from heat and stir until onion is wilted, 1-2 minutes. Add vegetable mixture to bowl with spelt. Season to taste with balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Let cool.

Add chicken, arugula, 2 cups cilantro, and olive oil to spelt mixture; toss to combine. Transfer salad to a large platter. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

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