The Best Springtime Farro and Kale Salad

Full of color, crunch, and filling protein, this Farro & Kale Salad from Smart & Final is the perfect springtime dish.

Thank you to Smart & Final for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

At 18, I got my dream job. Well, my first dream job. I worked at the most laid-back, hippie-run coffee shop and restaurant. We served salads, smoothies, wraps, and coffee drinks to the kindest group of people. In addition to being so much fun, the food was insanely fresh and delicious. It was the first place I realized that a salad wasn’t always the first course. A salad can be delicious and incredibly filling.

When Smart & Final reached out with a yummy springtime salad, I knew I needed to share it with you!

Enjoy the best of springtime seasonal produce with tons of sweet and crunchy foods. It’s flavorful and refreshing, plus got the protein you need to feel satisfied. Great for a picnic, Easter dinner, or prep-ahead meals, this Farro & Kale Salad is topped with sunflower seeds, asparagus, and grapes. Add optional shrimp to make it even more filling.

Farro and Kale Salad with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Grapes

Recipe created by Patricia Bannan MS RDN. Reprinted with permission from Smart & Final.

Ingredients

Dressing

• 3 tbsp. Sun Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 tbps. Sun Harves apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Salad

• 1 cup farro, dry
• 2 large bundles of kale, roughly chopped with stems removed (about 6 cups chopped)
• 1 tablespoon Sun Harvest extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and chopped into 1-in pieces (or shaved)
• 1 cup radishes, quartered
• 1 cup red seedless grapes, quartered
• 1/4 cup mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons First Street unsalted sunflower seeds
• 2 ounces goat cheese

Shrimp (optional)

• 16 ounces Sun Harvest shrimp, cold water, wild caught, thawed and dry
• 1 tablespoon Sun Harvest extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Start by preparing the dressing. Add all ingredients to a bowl & whisk. If you’re looking to get ahead, the dressing will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in a refrigerator.

To prepare the salad, cook the farro according to your package directions and allow to cool. Add your kale to a large bowl. To cut down on the bitterness of the kale, add olive oil and massage gently for 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and toss.

If adding shrimp: Pat dry with a paper towel, and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp until opaque and fully cooked, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and let cool.

Top salad with farro and shrimp. Salad will keep for up to 2 days in refrigerator when covered.

Fun tip:  Shaving asparagus is a fun way to make your salad extra fancy. Lay the stalk on a cutting board at the bottom. Use a vegetable peeler to shave into ribbons, peeling away from tougher end. Ditch any woody parts.

Stock Up on Spring Savings at Smart & Final

I’m so ready to spring clean my recipes as we head into the new season. Spring’s got so many delightful foods in season. You can grab all your produce with one-stop shopping at Smart & Final. I found a variety of kale, including organic options. We also picked up the asparagus, radishes, grapes, and sunflower seeds.

Knowing my springtime meals will include numerous salads with homemade dressings, I love that I can stock up on Sun Harvest products like extra virgin olive oil in sizes that make sense for me. With the savings, I’ve got a little more in my budget for a few premade desserts and other entertaining products.

Everything needed for celebrating spring flavors is ready for you in one quick trip to your local Smart & Final, from themed paper products to recipe ingredients.

Looking for more Spring recipes?

• Carrot Patch Cupcakes
• Bunny Oreos
• Boysenberry Shortcake Recipe

Smart & Final makes it easy to stock up on springtime must-haves. Whether you’re shopping in store or online.