Ingredients:
FONIO:
1 cup fonio
2 cups water
VINAIGRETTE:
½ medium red onion, finely minced (about ½ cup)
1 ½ lemons total; 1 zested and 1 ½ juiced (2 tsp zest and cup juice), plus more to taste
1 ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (a small 1-inch piece)
2 tsp honey, plus more to taste
¾ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
½ cup olive oil
SALAD:
4-5 peaches, peeled, pitted and diced (about 3 cups) or equivalent amount of apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered (about 1 ½ cups)
2 cucumbers, diced (about 2 cups)
1 bunch flat-leaf Italian parsley, leaves and delicate stems minced (about 1 cup)
1 bunch mint, minced (about ½ cup)
Equipment:
Small saucepan with lid
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula or spoon
Directions:
- Gather all the ingredients and equipment. Wash the produce and prepare it as detailed in the ingredients list.
- For the fonio, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the fonio and toast, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Carefully pour the water into the pan with the fonio. Return the pan to the heat and adjust the heat so the fonio simmers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until almost all the liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
- For the vinaigrette, place the onion in a jar with a lid. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt, then mix well. For a milder onion flavor, let the onion macerate in the lemon juice for 5-10 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Add the ginger, honey, and black pepper to the jar. Cover the jar with a lid and shake well to combine the ingredients. Pour in the olive oil and shake again until the mixture is emulsified.
- For the salad, combine the peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and mint in a large bowl. Fluff the fonio, then add it. To finish the salad, drizzle the dressing over the mixture and fold to combine. Taste, adjust, and enjoy!
- If your fruit or veggies are extra juicy and make the salad a bit watery, simply drain off any excess liquid before serving.