TUSCAN FARRO SOUP

Tuscan Farro Soup image

Simple yet amazing. This healthy soup, a kind of minestrone with farro, is ubiquitous in Lucca, a city in Tuscany. The farro is traditional, but you could use spelt or barley with good results.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories dinner, weekday, appetizer

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 celery stalks, trimmed and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup farro, spelt or barley
1 cup dried white beans, soaked for several hours or overnight
2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned are fine; do not drain)
6 cups stock or water, more as necessary
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, optional
Freshly grated Parmesan

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 558, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 86 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 16 grams, Protein 29 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1467 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams