What’s your favorite way to consume grapes? When this question was posed on Instagram, the overwhelming answer was wine. It was a clear landslide! I guess I can understand why. I think grapes don’t get as much exposure as they should when it comes to being anything more than a quick snack you pop in your mouth or fermented & poured into your favorite wine glass. But what if I told you that you could roast grapes & turn them into a delectable treat? Would you give it a try?
Roasting grapes really is a game changer! My go to grape is the green grape, but when roasting I’ll take a red grape all day. I’m not sure what magic happens when you roast these little beauties but it sure is tasty. Maybe it’s because I eat so many salads, but I love mixing & matching ingredients & textures in a salad. It helps to keep it interesting & makes a salad just a little more fun. The texture of the warm roasted grapes pairs so nicely with the crunchy kale & chewy farro. Sure roasting grapes takes a little bit longer than simply opening up a pre-made salad mix & pouring it into a bowl, but it is worth it! What’s your favorite way to keep a routine meal interesting?
Here are some other recipes to take your salad from basic to amazing…
Roasted Grape Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups red grapes
- 1 bunch kale
- 1 cup farro (dried)
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 handful mint leaves
- 1 handful parsley
- 1 shallot, diced optional; see notes
- 1 clove garlic, minced optional; see notes
- optional: vegan parm or feta
Simple Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar sub apple cider vinegar
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°. Place the grapes on a sheet pan & cook for 25-30 minutes until grapes just begin to burst. Remove from oven.
- Dice the shallot & garlic. In a medium saucepan over medium heat add a dash of olive oil. Add the shallot, garlic & dried farro. Toast for for 1-2 minutes. Add water 2 1/2 cups water, bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to low, cover & simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat & drain any excess water.
- Prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together all the ingredients in a large bowl. Add the cooked farro to the vinaigrette. Toss to combine.
- Add the greens, herbs & roasted grapes to the farro. Toss the salad together. Optional: add your favorite vegan cheese crumbles as additional toppings.