FARRO WITH ASPARAGUS, HAZELNUTS AND KALE TOPPED WITH ROASTED MUSHROOMS

Farro with Asparagus, Hazelnuts and Kale Topped with Roasted Mushrooms image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Salt
1 1/4 cups farro, pearled
1 1/2 pounds mixed mushrooms (such as shiitake, crimini and hen of the woods), slice the criminis and coarsely chop the hen of woods and shiitakes
About 1/3 cup EVOO, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
Freshly ground black pepper
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 shallots, chopped
1 bundle thin asparagus trimmed and sliced on an angle
1 small bundle flat Tuscan kale (also called Lacinato or dinosaur), stemmed and finely chopped
Freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup dry sherry or Marsala
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
Lemon juice, for serving
Sherry vinegar, optional

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.