(Note: this post was originally published on May 27, 2021. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
Simple salads can be surprisingly delightful because they really allow a single flavor to shine through. That's undoubtedly the case here; hearty cauliflower and chewy farro are the perfect vehicle for celebrating lemon in all its glory.
This roasted cauliflower salad is the companion recipe to my Caramelized Lemon Turmeric Sauce. Although that sauce is wonderful on just about anything, it particularly excels in this simple salad. The relatively mild flavors of the cauliflower and farro allow the lemony turmeric sauce to be the star of the show.
Refer back to the Caramelized Lemon Turmeric Sauce post for detailed ingredients and directions. It's a bit non-traditional and involves caramelizing lemon peel, which is what makes the sauce so unique. I suggest making a double batch, using it for this salad, and then using the rest on grains, roasted veggies, and nourish bowls.
After you've made the sauce, the rest of this farro salad is really simple. You'll just roast some cauliflower, cook some farro, toss both components with the sauce while they're still hot for maximum flavor absorption, and add a few garnishes. There are just a few ingredients involved, yet the combination is surprisingly special.
This farro salad is a very versatile recipe; there are a lot of ways you can customize it to fit your needs. If you want to make it into a meal, you could add more protein (the farro already has some) by topping it with crispy roasted chick peas or grilled tofu. Any veggies that go well with lemon, like grilled asparagus or broccolini, would also be great additions.
This salad can be served hot, at room temperature, or cold, which gives it a lot of flexibility. It would also work well as a make-ahead dish for a summer BBQ or even for a picnic since all of these ingredients travel well.
To make this roasted cauliflower salad in advance, you can prepare the lemon turmeric sauce numerous days ahead and the cauliflower and farro as far as a day ahead. When you're ready to serve, you can reheat the cauliflower and farro if desired. Transfer everything to a platter or bowl and add the garnishes just before serving. Thanks to its make-ahead friendly nature, this farro salad is wonderful for meal prep or for entertaining.
Here's what you'll need for this roasted cauliflower salad recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
This is one of those recipes that can become whatever you want it to be. Is it a side dish? A main course? A picnic or potluck dish? Cold? Room temperature? Hot? Because of its versatility, I keep coming back to this roasted cauliflower salad (or versions of it) again and again.
The best part of this salad, though, is how vibrant the flavors are. The cauliflower and the farro both soak up the lemon turmeric sauce and become infused with tartness. It's such a fabulous example of how a few simple ingredients can really shine. If you love lemon, then this is definitely a recipe you'll enjoy.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
Spring Asparagus Salad with Raw and Grilled Greens
Featuring perfectly-roasted cauliflower, crunchy almonds, and a zippy lemon turmeric sauce, this farro salad makes for a great side dish or main course.
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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