I recently started swimming laps again. Back in high school, I was on the swim team and kept in shape by doing endless laps in the pool, morning weights practices, and dry land practices. My high school days are long gone and as an adult, I have tried to find various forms of exercise that work for me. This hasn't always been easy or consistent, but I am loving being back in the pool. I kind of forgot that swimming brings on a monstrous appetite. Some say it's the body's reaction to being cool, but I like to think it is because of the immense calorie burn of the exercise. Either way, I am stocking up my kitchen with healthy prepared foods so that when I get home late at night, I don't turn to take out or junk food. A little bit of prep for this salad, left me with a week's worth of this hearty, yet light salad, that made a great post-workout meal.
Shrimp and Caper Salad with Farro
(Adapted from Cat Cora)
Makes 4 servings
For the Salad:
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails cut off
1 clove garlic, grated on a microplane
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 scallion, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
30 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup farro, cooked and cooled to room temperature
Salt and pepper to taste
For the dressing:
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and then add the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, 2-4 minutes. Drain the shrimp and set aside.
In a large boil, combine the grated garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt. Add the hot shrimp and stir to coat completely. Let the shrimp marinate for at least 10 minutes.
Add the scallion, red onion, capers, celery, tomatoes, and farro to the shrimp mixture.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients and then add to the shrimp mixture. Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve at room temperature or cold.
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