Peach and Arugula Salad with Pesto Dressing

Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 5

Ingredients

For the Salad 

• 1 cup dry farro 
• 4 cups baby arugula
• 2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
• 1 medium cucumber, halved and sliced 
• 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/4 cup pistachios or almonds (optional)

For the Dressing

• 2 1/2 tbsp basil pesto 
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp water (to thin, if needed) 
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse then cook farro according to the package. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to cool. 
2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk pesto, lemon juice, olive oil, and honey. Add a splash of water to reach the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. 
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled farro, arugula, peaches, cucumber, goat cheese, and pistachios. 
4. Drizzle the pesto dressing over the salad. Toss gently until everything is lightly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Tips:

• Serve this as a side for the main dish or add chicken, fish, tofu, etc, for a complete meal! 
• Add the dressing immediately before serving. If not serving immediately, keep dressing and salad separate until it is ready to be served.

Why We Love This Recipe:

1. Vitamins and Minerals:

Arugula is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, which support eye health, immunity, and bone health. It is also high in phytonutrients and antioxidants that help detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and protect against certain cancers. Peaches are also a great source of vitamin C and A.

2. Complex Carbs: 

Farro is a whole grain rich in fiber which supports digestion and helps regulate blood sugars for sustained energy levels and keeps you full longer. It is also a plant-based protein and provides iron, magnesium, and zinc. 

3. Healthy Fats:

The olive oil, pesto, and pistachios provide monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. This supports the heart by helping lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. They also help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K effectively.