Meatless Monday - Curried Farro Salad

What in the world is farro?  It's a wheat grain that's similar to Spelt.  I'm told it's good for you but, whatever, it tastes good. If being a good source of protein, fiber and B vitamins makes you happy than this grain should do the trick.

This salad makes a great winter dish as the farro is served warm and the curry is warming.  It's also great for leftovers because you don't have to reheat it.

Curried Farro Salad

2 cups semi-pearled farro, (spelt or whole wheat berries can be substituted) rinsed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt plus more for seasoning
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
6 small carrots, peeled, cut into 1/4" dice
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup thinly sliced red onion (about 1/2 large onion)
1/2 lemon cut lengthwise, ends removed, finely chopped with peel (about 1/2 cup)
2 cups arugula
1 or 2 leaves of mustard greens
2 cups (packed) cilantro sprigs with tender stems plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Place spelt and 1 teaspoon sea 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 farro 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.

While the farro is cooking, 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 pepper. Cook, stirring often, until carrots are crisp-tender, 5-6 minutes.

Add vinegar and stir until evaporated, 1-2 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 salt and pepper. Let cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Add arugula, mustard leaves, 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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