Farro Risotto With Squash And Kale Food

FARRO RISOTTO WITH SQUASH AND KALE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425ºF. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds (and save or compost). Rub flesh of squash lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on parchment-lined baking sheet, and roast until tender, 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the squash. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large, wide sauté pan, warm 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it's translucent, about five minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. Add the garlic, and cook for another minute. Add the farro and cook stirring constantly for another minute.
• Add the wine, bay leaf, and thyme, and cook until the wine is nearly gone.
• Add the 1 quart of water along with a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium or low - you want the liquid to be gently simmering. Simmer for 45 minutes or until the farro grains have expanded and are al dente.
• Meanwhile, pull the skin off the squash - it should remove easily. Purée the flesh in a food processor or blender until it's silky smooth.
• Meanwhile, prepare the kale: remove the stems and ribs from the leaves. Make stacks of the leaves, roll them into cylinders, and cut them into very thin ribbons. Wash and dry the kale if necessary.
• Extract the thyme sprigs and bay leaf from the risotto and discard (or compost). Stir one cup of the squash purée into the risotto. Season with pepper to taste. Add a handful of the thinly sliced kale strips and a handful of parmesan. Stir until the kale is slightly wilted and incorporated. Add more kale to taste. Stir, taste, adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or parmesan. Serve immediately.

FARRO RISOTTO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter and saute the onion, and butternut on medium-low heat for 5 minutes then add garlic and sage for 1 minute. Add the farro and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the farro plus the saffron, and pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the farro is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30-45 minutes total.
• Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste and season with salt. You can add more butter at this time if desired.
• Mix well, garnish with fresh sage and serve.