Batalis Farro Vegetable Soup Food

FARRO AND VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Soak the farro just covered in water for one hour or longer. Drain.
• Meanwhile, place the dried mushrooms in a bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, and pour on two cups boiling water. Let them sit for 15 to 30 minutes until softened. Place a strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper towels above a bowl, and drain the mushrooms. Squeeze over the strainer, then rinse in several changes of water to get rid of any sand. Chop coarsely and set aside.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion. Cook, stirring, for three to five minutes until it begins to soften. Add the chopped carrots, celery and cabbage, and cover. Turn the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring often, for five to 10 minutes until the mixture is tender and fragrant. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, for a minute until fragrant. Add the soaked mushrooms and their liquid, the farro, bouquet garni, tomato paste and the water or stock. Bring to a boil, add salt, reduce the heat, cover and simmer one hour until the farro is tender and the soup fragrant. If it seems too thick, thin out with more water or stock. Add pepper, and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni, and stir in the parsley. Serve, passing the cheese for sprinkling.

SPRING VEGETABLE-FARRO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until browned and crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the drippings in the pot. Add the spring onions (white and pale green parts) and carrots and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the farro and cook, stirring to combine, about 1 minute.
• Add the chicken broth, 4 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and the Parmesan rind; cover and bring to a simmer. Cook, partially covered and adjusting the heat if necessary, until the farro and vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and snap peas and cook until tender, 3 to 4 more minutes. Stir in the basil and lemon zest; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the soup among bowls. Top with the reserved spring onion greens, the grated parmesan, pancetta and a drizzle of olive oil; sprinkle with pepper.

TUSCAN FARRO SOUP

Steps:

• Put oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat; a minute later add onion, celery, carrots, a large pinch of salt and some pepper. Cook until vegetables are glossy and onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, and stir; add farro, beans, tomatoes and stock, and stir.
• Bring to a boil, then adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until farro and beans are tender, at least an hour, adding stock or water as necessary if mixture becomes too thick. Stir in parsley and basil (if using), then cook another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with lots of Parmesan.

LUCCAN FARRO SOUP (MARK BITTMAN)

Steps:

• Put oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat; a minute later add onion, celery, carrots, a large pinch of salt and some pepper. Cook until vegetables are glossy and onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, and stir; add farro, beans, tomatoes and stock, and stir.
• Bring to a boil, then adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until farro and beans are tender, at least an hour, adding stock or water as necessary if mixture becomes too thick. Stir in parsley and basil (if using), then cook another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with lots of Parmesan.