FARRO SALAD WITH PEAS, FAVAS, ARUGULA AND TOMATOES

Farro Salad with Peas, Favas, Arugula and Tomatoes image

Yield 8 first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 cups water
2 cups farro or wheat berries*
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 cup shelled fresh fava beans** or frozen baby lima beans
1 cup shelled fresh peas or frozen peas
2 cups fresh arugula leaves, halved
3 plum tomatoes, seeded, finely chopped
Additional arugula leaves

Steps:

Combine 6 cups water and farro in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium. Cover partially; simmer until farro is tender, about 20 minutes (about 45 minutes for wheat berries). Drain well.
Whisk oil and vinegar in large bowl. Season with salt. Add farro; toss. Cool.
Meanwhile, cook favas in pot of boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Add peas and cook until just tender, about 1 minute longer. Drain. Cool in bowl of ice water. Drain. Add favas and peas to farro. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
Add arugula and tomatoes to farro mixture. Toss to combine. Season generously with salt. Spoon salad onto platter. Garnish with additional arugula.
*Farro is sold at some Italian markets; or order from Dean & DeLuca, 800-221-7714. Wheat berries are sold at natural foods stores and some supermarkets.
**Available at Middle Eastern markets, some supermarkets and farmers' markets.