Farrotto With Tomatoes And Pecorino Recipes

MUSHROOM AND PEA FARROTTO

Steps:

• Heat a 3 1/2-quart pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and all of the water cooks out, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the mushrooms to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the leeks. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the leeks, stirring often, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and salt and cook 1 more minute. Add the farro to the pan and stir to coat the grains in the oil and toast slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Deglaze with the wine and stir. Cook the farro, stirring occasionally, until the wine evaporates almost completely, about 8 minutes. Add the broth in 1-cup increments, cooking until the liquid almost completely evaporates before adding the next increment; this will take about 45 minutes to complete. Remember to stir often to create a creamy texture.
• When the farro is tender and absorbs almost all of the liquid, stir in the mushrooms, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano and butter. Continue to stir until the butter is melted in and the mixture is creamy. Stir in the peas at the last minute and serve.

FARROTTO WITH TOMATOES AND PECORINO

Steps:

• Rinse the farro in a fine sieve and rinse under cool running water. Transfer to a large, heavy saucepan and cover with 1 1/2 inches of water. Add the salt and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Drain, and spread the farro in a shallow pan to cool off. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, mix well and let rest.
• Place a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, add 4 tablespoons of oil and the garlic, and saute for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 5 basil leaves and hot red pepper to taste. Add the farro, mix very well and add 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring slowly and constantly. Add more broth when the farro has absorbed the previous liquid. Keep adding broth until the farro is tender but still has a bit of bite, about 17 minutes.
• Stir in the grated Pecorino, the remaining basil leaves and the rest of the oil. Stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve the farrotto in soup bowls, topped with shaved Pecorino, if desired.

FARROTTO WITH FAVA BEANS, TOMATO AND MARJORAM

Steps:

• In a bowl filled with warm water, soak farro overnight at room temperature.
• In a large, shallow pan over medium heat, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the butter, shallots and garlic. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon.
• Drain farro, and add to pan. When the grains are well coated with oil and butter, start adding hot water little by little, just enough to cover the farro. Stir often, and continue adding hot water if needed.
• After about 10 minutes of cooking, add the tomato. Keep stirring to prevent grains from sticking to pan. At this point the farro should be just about cooked, its texture al dente. Add fava beans; remove from heat.
• Add marjoram, cheese and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir, and serve immediately.

CRACKED FARRO RISOTTO (FARROTTO) WITH PARSLEY AND MARJORAM

Steps:

• Several hours or the day before you plan on serving the farrotto, place farro in a bowl and pour on 2 cups boiling water. Let sit for 3 hours, or refrigerate overnight.
• Drain farro and place in a food processor fitted with steel blade. Pulse 5 to 10 times. Scrape down sides of bowl and pulse again 5 to 10 times. Some, but not all of the farro should be broken. Scrape into a bowl.
• Put your stock or broth into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer on the stove, with a ladle nearby or in the pot. Make sure that it is well seasoned.
• Heat oil in a wide, heavy skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots or onion and cook gently until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add farro and stir over medium heat until grains dry out a bit and begin to crackle. Add wine and cook, stirring, until wine is no longer visible in pan.
• Stir in enough of the simmering stock or broth to just cover the farro. The stock should bubble slowly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock and continue to cook in this fashion, not too fast and not too slowly, adding more stock when the farro is almost dry and stirring often, until mixture is creamy and farro is tender, about 25 minutes. Taste, adjust salt, and add pepper.
• Add another ladleful or two of stock to the pan. Stir in the parsley, marjoram and Parmesan, and remove from heat. The mixture should be creamy. Serve right away in wide soup bowls or on plates.