I’ve learned something about myself this week: I’m a neurotic packer. I don’t think this is a new trait, I think I’ve just now come to realize it. I’ve been putting off the huge task of packing up this apartment but the time has come to get down to business. I started by packing things that I wouldn’t really notice were gone: ski stuff, summer clothes, cookbooks I know I won’t use over the next two weeks. Then I take those boxes and put them in the back of the closet so I don’t have to look at them–this way, everything continues to look in perfect order. Just so.
Well guess what? You can only put so many boxes in the closet and things can only look in relative order for so long. Eventually you have to actually pack all of your books and the contents of the kitchen cupboards. You have to pack your favorite coffee mugs, rain boots, desk files and linens. So I’ve officially taken the dive into disorderly-chaotic-packing mode. Now I’m tripping over boxes and newspapers. Two boxes have become a brand new coffee table, one a handy foot rest under the kitchen table. I’m embracing it. It’s all in motion now.
And as part of that, I’m trying to clean out my pantry so we’re not loading jars of grains and beans and dried fruit into the U-Haul next weekend. And that’s how this hearty, warm cereal came to be. It’s only slightly sweet and combines farro, coconut milk, and a little honey–all topped with almonds, dried cherries and coconut flakes.
With all of the packing and goodbyes, I can’t imagine that this next week will be filled with much notable cooking or baking but I’ll be sure to check in with, at the very least, a photo or two. In the meantime, if you have any packing advice or recipes you love that will use up pantry goods in a flash, I’m all ears. Happy almost weekend to you.
Warm Farro Salad with Coconut, Almonds and Cherries
- Yield: 2 servings
- Prep time: 10 mins
- Cook time: 40 mins
The nice thing about this recipe is its versatility: you can use any fruits and nuts you like or have on hand, really. I also prefer my morning cereals without much sweetness, so feel free to add a bit more honey if you prefer. As breakfasts go, this cereal is on the richer side as the farro is actually cooked in coconut milk. If you’d prefer a lighter version, you can use all water–you’ll still have some of the coconut flavor from the toasted flakes on top.
Ingredients
1/2 cup farro
1 cup water
3/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut chips
1 tablespoon honey
pinch salt
1/4 cup dried cherries
Instructions
Soak cherries in warm water for five minutes to soften them. Drain and discard water.
Bring the water, coconut milk and salt to a simmer and whisk in the farro. Return to a simmer. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, or until farro has absorbed most of the moisture.
While hot cereal is cooking, preheat oven to 325 F. Toast almond slices and coconut chips for 5 minutes or until fragrant and golden.
Once the farro is cooked, add honey. Portion into two small bowls and top with toasted coconut, almonds and dried cherries. If you’d like top with a drizzle of honey. Serve immediately.
sara
I have something almost exactly the same but with pom seeds instead of dried fruit in the cookbook, love it :) The drawback of having a project like this in process forever, is that I swear to you a very close version of every recipe, since written, has shown up in a blog or magazine. Old news now! All to say, I think coconut milk is so good on morning grains, really makes it rich tasting. Good luck to you and the move, possibly my least favorite process ever. But oh the joy of a new house with someone you adore? nothing sweeter.
Reply
megang
Sara: Isn't that always the way?! I remember a weird spree where Deb from Smitten Kitchen was posting what I'd planned on posting the day before I was planning to quite a few times in a row... great minds I guess, yes? I am so, so excited to catch a glimpse of that book of yours. You and Heidi both fall in the same camp for me: you just cook the way I cook (most of the time ... with the exception of tarts and ice cream, of course) and I so look forward to adding your book to my weekly rotation of inspiration. Happy weekend, my friend.
Reply
Janet
No goodbyes!! Only "see ya in Seattle's!"
Packing sucks. Wait, I have a solution: don't move!
I kid, I kid (kind of). It will all come together, as it sounds like it's starting to. This sounds way delicious. Feel free to make it for me when I come visit. ;)
Reply
Amy
Ah this looks perfect, exactly exactly my favorite flavors and textures when it comes to breakfast time. I will be trying it out soon. In the meantime... good luck with this final stretch home before (wondeful!) seattle!
Reply
tea_austen
Oh, the pain of packing—but you have such good things waiting for you at the other end!
xox
Reply
Danielle
You're going to need many more bowls of this to sustain you through the marathon of packing, but it will be all worth it in the end :) See you soon xo
Reply
Christa
My goodness, that looks delicious!
Reply
Denise | Chez Danisse
This looks delicious, I even like the little bowl. Way to embrace the move.
Reply
betty
packing is a huge pain but I find it quite relaxing, anyways this looks delicious and I never thought about using farro with these ingredients
Reply
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
What a lovely breakfast to give you energy for packing! Good luck with the move! I'm so excited for you!
Reply
megang
Thank you, Amanda! Have a wonderful weekend!
Reply
megang
Amanda: Thank you so much. Always nice to see your comments and encouragement. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. ~m
Reply
tracy
oh man...that coconut milk drippage....seductive!
i'm such a crazy packer. i want everything to fit perfectly into each box and i take my sweet ass time. when i'm wrapping up all my kitchen stuff i love to look at everything and inspect it...and admire my collection.
then it's so much fun unpacking a kitchen...only for the fact that it's like you open up little gifts of your favorite items.
see you soon!
Reply
Sara Mendez
This looks so good! I really want to make this!
Reply
Lauren
Farro + Coconut milk= AMAZING- Full PROOF morning satisfaction! Can I even get crazy and put coconut butter on top!!!??? I think I might :)
Reply
megang
Hi Lauren! Of course you can -- did you know Trader Joe's sells coconut oil now? My best discovery this week! Enjoy.
Reply
Stacy
That looks like a perfect and utterly soothing breakfast for a time of motion and change! Best of luck with the transition.
Reply
Jill
I'm a post late on this, but congratulations on your move! Reading stuff like this makes me a little fidgety, as I've been in the same apt for 8 years and the same job for 12. But there's something to be said for finding a spot that keeps you pretty happy for that long, too, I suppose.
This recipe you posted here looks delicious, as always. Congrats again!
Reply
megang
Jill: Thank you! I envy you for being in the same apt for 8 years and the same job for 12! I feel fidgety b/c I can't seem to do either, so I suppose the grass is always greener, yes?
Reply
Chez Us
I am crazy with packing as well. I like each box organized and labeled so I know exactly what is in it - just incase I decide I need something during the craziness. I do love - purging while packing. It is liberating to finally get rid of things that I know I won't use in the new place, especially if I haven't even thought of them in the past.
Cannot wait to see the new house - and to enjoy a bowl of morning bliss.
Reply
megang
@Chez Us: I cannot wait for you to see it, too. Have I mentioned we have a guest room??? xox, and see you soooooon
Reply
Kimberly
This looks divine, and I am so excited about your move - as I have done the same thing (moving from Vancouver BC to Seattle 12 years ago) and know the joy of melding two lives into one.
Best of luck in the next few busy weeks,
K.Reply
nicole
made this last night and ended up having it for dessert. It was great. I used dates, coconut, crystallized ginger and toasted pecans. I would probably use a little less coconut milk as I found it a bit sweet, but everyone else thought it was perfect. Didn't use the honey.
Reply
LindySez
I found this recipe looking for some new ideas for using Farro and I really think this sounds like it would be great for dessert or for breakfast. That said, wondered why you threw away the cherry soaking water rather than use it as a part of the cooking water? Anyway, moving is my nightmare so I do hope yours went smoothly.
Cheers
Reply
Kate
Sounds delicious. Could you make this the night before and refrigerate, or would it be too mushy the next day?
Reply
megang
Hi, Kate-
Oh absolutely you can do this in advance. You may need a little extra liquid when you're reheating to loosen it up, but it's delicious the next day. Enjoy! ~MeganReply
