Farro With Asparagus Hazelnuts And Kale Topped With Roasted Mushrooms Food

FARRO AND KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Put the walnuts in a small, heavy-bottomed skillet over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely on a small baking sheet.
• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the shallot and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the shallots have softened and are fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the farro and toast in the olive oil, stirring often, for about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in 2 cups water, the oregano and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the farro is cooked through and tender, about 25 minutes. Remove the oregano sprigs, drain the farro, and set aside.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, orange juice, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the warm farro and toss to coat. Add the kale, cherries, cucumber and walnuts and toss to combine. Crumble in the goat cheese, toss gently just to mix and serve.

FARRO WITH ASPARAGUS, HAZELNUTS AND KALE TOPPED WITH ROASTED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt the water and cook the farro to tender, 20 minutes or so.
• Meanwhile, toss the mushrooms with about 1/4 cup EVOO or just enough to lightly coat, and then season with the thyme. Roast to deeply fragrant and brown. Season with salt and pepper.
• While the mushrooms are in the oven, heat about 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, shallots and asparagus and cook to tender crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the kale and wilt, season with salt and pepper and nutmeg to taste. Deglaze with the sherry.
• Toast the nuts in a small skillet until browned and fragrant.
• Drain the faro and combine with the vegetables. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. The farro can be served room temp or reheated in a microwave or skillet. Store the toasted nuts in an airtight container at room temp. Reheat the mushrooms in a skillet to warm through. Serve the farro and vegetables sprinkled with the nuts, a little lemon juice and top with roasted mushrooms.
• Alternatively, the farro can be served as a cold salad and the mushrooms can be roasted off the night you want to serve it. If the cold farro is too dry, dress with sherry vinegar or lemon juice, and more EVOO.

ROASTED MUSHROOM AND ASPARAGUS PLATTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place mushrooms and 1/4 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl.
• Sprinkle w/ salt and pepper and oregano and toss to distribute oil and seasonings. Turn out into a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
• Toss asparagus in remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, place asparagus on another baking sheet.
• Place both baking sheets in oven and roast until asparagus is tender (10-15 minutes depending on thickness) and mushrooms are tender and golden (approximately 20 minutes).
• Remove from oven and arrange on platter. Serve hot or at room temperature.

KALE AND FARRO SALAD WITH AGED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine the farro and water or stock in a medium saucepot. Bring to a simmer and cook until tender, 20 to 30 minutes, and then drain. Transfer to a bowl, season with salt and pepper and let cool.
• Remove and discard the ribs from the kale, then chiffonade the leaves finely and place in a bowl. Add the pomegranate seeds, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Stir in the farro and season the salad with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 deep plates or bowls and garnish with the shaved goat cheese.

MELTED KALE WITH FARRO

Steps:

• Bring large saucepan of salted water to boil. Cook semi-pearled farro until tender but still firm to bite, about 13 minutes. Drain farro and cool.
• Cook kale in large pot of boiling salted water 1 minute. Drain. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Squeeze out excess water. Coarsely chop kale.
• Heat oil in large heavy saucepan over medium heat; add shallots and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add cooked chopped kale. Increase heat to high and sauté 2 minutes. Add 4 cups broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until kale is tender and almost all broth is absorbed, stirring often, about 25 minutes. Transfer kale mixture to processor; puree 1 minute. Return puree to same saucepan. Mix in farro. Add 1/2 cup broth. Season with salt and pepper. Thin kale and farro with more broth, if desired. Stir in chives.
• Available at specialty foods stores, natural foods stores, and Italian markets. Farro perlato can also be found online at www.gustiamo.com.