Farro Spaghetti Beets Brown Butter Poppy Seeds Recipes

FARRO SPAGHETTI, BEETS, BROWN BUTTER, POPPY SEEDS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the beets in a glass or ceramic baking dish. Cover with the olive oil and water. Bake until a tester easily passes through the beets, about 1 1/4 hours. Let cool.
• 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• 3. Peel the beets and cut into chunks. Add to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process to a rough puree. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions.
• 4. Add the butter to a 10-inch skillet. Turn on the heat to high. Brown the butter, about 2 minutes. Add the poppy seeds and toast for 2 minutes. Add the pureed beets, salt, and the 1/4 cup pasta water to the skillet. Stir to fully incorporate.
• 5. Use a wire-mesh skimmer or tongs to remove the spaghetti from the pot and place them directly into the skillet with the sauce. Stir to combine.
• 6. Divide the spaghetti into equal portions and place on warm plates. Use two round or oval soup spoons to form little balls of the goat's milk cheese. Place a ball on top of each serving.
• 7. Serve immediately.

FARRO SALAD WITH BEETS, GREENS AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add salt to taste and the greens. Blanch for two minutes, and transfer to the ice water. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely and set aside.
• Bring the water back to a boil, and add the farro. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, or until the farro is tender. Remove from the heat and allow the grains to swell in the cooking water for 10 minutes, then drain.
• While the farro is cooking, make the vinaigrette. Whisk together the vinegars, salt, garlic and mustard. Whisk in the oil(s). Add to the farro. Peel and dice the beets and add, along with the beet greens, feta or goat cheese, herbs and walnuts. Toss together, and serve warm or room temperature with a little more cheese sprinkled over the top if you wish.

WHOLE WHEAT SPAGHETTI WITH SOLAR ROASTED BEETS, BROWN BUTTER AND POPPY SEEDS

Steps:

• Put the beets and 1/4 cup water in a large, dark, light-weight pot. Cover and roast in Sun Oven until soft, about 2 hours. Beets can be made up to 3 days in advance, store the cooked beets in the refrigerator in a covered container. Prepare the sauce while the pasta cooks. Peel the beets and cut them into chunks. Puree them in a food processor. Brown the butter in a 10-inch skillet over high heat, about 2 minutes. Add the poppy seeds and toast about 2 minutes. Add the beet puree, salt, and 1/4 cup pasta water to the skillet. Stir well. Use tongs to transfer the spaghetti directly to the skillet. Stir to combine. Divide pasta among 4 warm plates. Top each serving with goat cheese. Serve immediately. The contrast between the rich redness of the beet sauce and the white cheese makes for a stunning presentation but next time, I think I'll just stir the cheese in with the pasta in the skillet - unless I have guests I want to impress.

WHOLE WHEAT SPAGHETTI WITH SOLAR ROASTED BEETS, BROWN BUTTER, AND POPPY SEEDS

Steps:

• Put the beets and 1/4 cup water in a large, dark, light-weight pot. Cover and roast in Sun Oven until soft, about 2 hours. Beets can be made up to 3 days in advance, store the cooked beets in the refrigerator in a covered container. Prepare the sauce while the pasta cooks. Peel the beets and cut them into chunks. Puree them in a food processor. Brown the butter in a 10-inch skillet over high heat, about 2 minutes. Add the poppy seeds and toast about 2 minutes. Add the beet puree, salt, and 1/4 cup pasta water to the skillet. Stir well. Use tongs to transfer the spaghetti directly to the skillet. Stir to combine. Divide pasta among 4 warm plates. Top each serving with goat cheese. Serve immediately. The contrast between the rich redness of the beet sauce and the white cheese makes for a stunning presentation but next time, I think I'll just stir the cheese in with the pasta in the skillet - unless I have guests I want to impress.

POPPY SEED SPAGHETTINI

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
• Toss with melted butter and poppy seeds.