Summer Farro Salad

• FAST
• HEALTHY
• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1 small yellow onion, quartered
3. 1 small carrot, halved
4. 1 celery rib, halved
5. 12 ounces farro (1 3/4 cups)
6. 5 cups water
7. Kosher salt
8. 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
9. Freshly ground pepper
10. 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
11. 1 small seedless cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
12. 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
13. 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the yellow onion, carrot and celery, cover and cook over moderately low heat until barely softened, about 5 minutes. Add the farro and stir to coat with oil. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the farro is barely tender, about 10 minutes; season with salt. Cover and simmer until the farro is al dente, about 10 minutes longer. Drain the farro and discard the onion, carrot and celery. Let cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil with the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Fold in the farro, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes and basil, season with salt and pepper and serve.