Insalata mediterranea di gamberi e farro

Ingredienti

• 1 cup farro
• 1 lb uncooked shrimp ((12 large shrimp))
• 8 oz asparagus
• 4 oz sweet mini yellow, red, and orange peppers
• 8 oz artichoke hearts ((from jar))
• 8 oz heirloom cherry tomatoes
• 2 oz Parmegiano Regiano ((shaved))
• 8 oz mozzarella pearls
• 1 fresh lemon (juiced and zested)
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ((If you have an infused olive oil, even better. I used a Meyer Lemon and Rosemary olive oil oil))
• fresh basil ((cut 4-5 leafs into ribbons and reserve remaining whole leaves for garnish))
• sea salt
• fresh cracked pepper

Preparazione

1. 1

   Prepare farro per package instructions. Cooking time is approximately 30 minutes. Drain water. Set aside in covered pot for 5 minutes to steam, then remove lid to bring to room temperature. If cooking ahead of time, refrigerate until ready to use and warm for 30 seconds in microwave. Farro tastes best just slightly warm.

2. 2

   Cook shrimp in steamer basket, covered pan or grill until pink (approximately 5 minutes if using frozen shrimp). Season to taste with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.

3. 3

   Trim ends of asparagus. Steam or grill until crisp tender (approximately 4-5 minutes, depending on thickness. Pencil thin asparagus will cook much quicker.) If steaming, remove from heat and plunge asparagus into an ice bath (a bowl with ice and water) to stop cooking.

4. 4

   Slice cherry tomatoes and artichoke hearts in half.

5. 5

   Slice sweet peppers into thin ribbons.

6. 6

   Season farro with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste, olive oil, zest and juice of half lemon, and basil ribbons. To keep it easy, we skip mixing the olive oil and lemon juice to make a vinaigrette and add the ingredients directly into the farro then fluff with a fork.

7. 7

   To serve, arrange farro in a large bowl and place all ingredients on top in a decorative rainbow pattern. (Alternate colors for visual impact) When ready to eat, toss all ingredients. You can also arrange individual salads by dividing all ingredients equally in small bowls.