Wow.
This recipe is amazing and you want to try it ASAP.
Here is an Italian-inspired recipe that uses store-bought or homemade pesto to season farro, which is then tossed with fresh spinach, roasted tomatoes, red onions and mozzarella for a complete vegetarian meal. Make it with fresh-from-the-market cherry tomatoes when they’re in season, but during the rest of the year, use grape tomatoes, as they tend to be more flavorful than cherry during the colder months.
It tastes delicious warm or cold the next day — and topping it with shrimp, chicken or scallops can make it feel new again.We served it with some roasted salmon fillets and it made a brilliant dinner.
Before reheating, add a bit more spinach, drizzle it with a little olive oil and give it a good stir.
Farro with Blistered Tomatoes, Pesto, and Spinach
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup farro, rinsed
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
1 small red onion, peeled, quartered and cut into 1-inch wedges
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the farro
½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
¼ cup store-bought or homemade pesto, plus more to taste
1 lemon, zested (about 1 tablespoon) and juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 packed cups baby spinach
1 (4-ounce) ball fresh mozzarella, torn into chunks, or 1/2 cup ricotta salata, crumbled (optional)
¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley or basil leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large covered pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the farro and adjust the heat to maintain a medium boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom, until tender and not too chewy, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, on a sheet pan, combine the tomatoes and onion wedges with the oil, making sure everything is well coated and glistening, then season with salt, pepper and the red-pepper flakes. Roast until the tomatoes blister and slightly deflate, 25 to 30 minutes.
When the farro is done, drain, then pour into a serving bowl or back into the pot. Toss with some olive oil, then mix in the pesto. Add the lemon zest and juice, then stir in the spinach. Set aside to cool slightly.
Scrape the onions, tomatoes and their juices into the farro; season with salt and pepper as needed. Add the cheese, if using, then garnish with herbs and serve.
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