Farro With Roasted Vegetables And Roasted Tomato Dressing Recipes

SLOW ROASTED TOMATO FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the cherry tomatoes on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic, sugar, salt, thyme and toss well. Roast for 1.5 to 2 hours, tossing every 30 minutes, until the tomatoes are super caramely and shriveled and sweet.
• P.S. These keep great in a sealed container in the fridge for a few days if you have extra!
• While the tomatoes are roasting, I like to cook the farro and toast the pine nuts. Cook the farro according to the directions (it's usually 1 cup farro to 2 cups liquid, simmering for about 30 to 40 minutes) and let it cool. If desired, you can toss it with a bit of olive oil so it doesn't stick together, but don't use too much since we toss the salad in dressing.
• To toast the pine nuts, heat the nuts in a skillet over medium-low heat. Toss the nuts and shake the pan a few times until they are golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Don't take your eyes off them!
• To make the salad, combine the farro with the tomatoes in a large bowl. If taking this to a party, I would combine it all cold and serve it cold. Toss in the feta cheese, pine nuts and fresh herbs. Add about ¼ cup of the dressing, tossing well. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. If needed, you can add more dressing, or serve the salad as is with the dressing on the side so people can use it themselves.
• This stores great in the fridge for a few days!
• In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic, salt and pepper. Continue to whisk while streaming in the olive oil. This dressing stays great in the fridge in a sealed container for a week or so, so feel free to make a double batch if desired!

FARRO WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Slice the red pepper in half lengthwise, and remove the stem and seeds. Cut off the mushroom stems (save for soup), and rub the pepper and mushrooms in a little of the olive oil and salt. Put the peppers on Silpat or parchment on a baking sheet, and roast in a preheated 425° oven. After 15 minutes, turn them, and place the mushrooms alongside, cap side up.
• Meanwhile, rinse the farro, rubbing it through your fingers, and drain. Put it in a small pot with 1 1/2 cups water, a good pinch of salt, the half-bay leaf, and the remaining olive oil, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and let simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, at which point the water should have boiled off (if not, pour it off) and the pepper and mushrooms should be roasted tender. Pull off the charred skin of the pepper slices. Spoon about half the farro into a soup bowl; arrange the mushrooms on top, along with the pepper pieces.
• You can use other roasted vegetables to garnish the farro, or serve it plain as an accompaniment to meat.
• The portion of farro set aside makes a good salad with a small can of tuna fish scattered through it, along with a chopped ripe tomato, a scallion or two, and parsley. Toss gently with some vinaigrette dressing (page 149).