Ina Garten Just Shared Her Favorite Side Dish of All Time—and It Goes With Basically Everything

It seems like Ina Garten knows the secret to everything food, recipe, and hosting-related. Recently, the superstar chef shared her favorite side dish (ever!) in an Instagram reel, noting Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad, from NYC restaurant Charlie Bird, as “earthy and sweet from the farro cooked in apple cider, citrusy from the fresh lemon vinaigrette, peppery from the arugula, salty and crunchy from the pistachios.” The Barefoot Contessa went on to share what dishes she pairs the salad with, how to perfect its flavor, and the best way to serve it to guests. “I love having a side dish that goes with everything,” she says. “Lamb, chicken, fish, whatever.”

How to Make Ina Garten’s Favorite Side Salad

“It starts with farro, which is cooked in apple cider, salt, and pepper with a bay leaf,” Garten says. “And I like to add lemon vinegar when it’s still warm.” Get the full recipe for Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad, and follow along with the step-by-step instructions.

You’ll start by bringing pearled farro, fresh apple cider, bay leaves, and salt and pepper to a boil, then allowing the whole mixture to simmer until the farro is tender.

In a separate measuring bowl, mix together some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper before mixing the vinaigrette into the farro—then, you’ll set this mixture aside to cool. Before serving, Garten suggests stirring in roasted pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, radishes, arugula, and shredded Parmesan. Top it off with sea salt, and it’s ready to serve!