Farrotto Primavera 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.

CHEF JOHN'S PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Hold basil bunch by the stems and dip basil leaves in boiling water until bright green, about 2 seconds. Immediately immerse basil in ice water for several minutes until cold to stop the cooking process. Once the basil is cold, drain well. Remove basil leaves from stems and discard stems.
• Blend basil leaves, 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup olive oil, and garlic together in a blender until smooth.
• Stir fettuccine into the same pot of boiling water, bring back to a boil, and cook pasta over medium heat until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir leek and green onion in hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add jalapeno and salt; cook and stir until jalapeno is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Stir 2 cups chicken broth, zucchini, sugar snap peas, and English peas into jalapeno mixture; bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add asparagus and continue cooking until asparagus is soft, about 3 minutes more.
• Pour 1/4 cup basil-garlic mixture into zucchini mixture and cook and stir until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• Place pasta in a large bowl; pour zucchini mixture over pasta and pour remaining basil-garlic mixture over the zucchini mixture. Spread Parmesan cheese over the top. Toss mixture briefly to combine and tightly wrap bowl with aluminum foil. Let stand until pasta and vegetables soak up most of the juices and oil, about 5 minutes. Toss again.

FARROTTO PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• In a deep skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and white parts of scallions. Cook, stirring, until scallions are translucent. Add farro and toast 2 to 3 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.
• Add wine and cook until most of liquid is absorbed. Add 2 cups of stock, adjust heat and simmer until most of liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Add 2 more cups of stock. Simmer 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add peas and asparagus stems and cook 8 minutes, adding more stock as necessary. Add fava beans, scallion tops and asparagus tips. Cook 5 minutes. Add zucchini blossoms and parsley. Farro should be tender, but still have some crunch.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmigiano, pesto and remaining oil. Stir vigorously so farro is smooth, adding stock if too dry. Season with pepper, salt and red-pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

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.

RISOTTO PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Have the asparagus, carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash cut up and ready. Set these vegetables aside. Bring the chicken broth and water just to a simmer in a medium saucepan; keep warm.
• Heat 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup minced onion and the minced garlic; cook 3 minutes. Add asparagus and carrots; cook 2 minutes. Add zucchini and yellow squash; cook until just tender, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• Heat 2 more tablespoons olive oil in same sauce pan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup more minced onion and cook 3 minutes. Add the arborio rice (or short-grain rice), stirring to coat. Stir in the dry white wine and cook until almost absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3/4 cup reserved broth and cook, stirring constantly, until almost absorbed. Simmer, adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until broth is absorbed before adding more, about 20 minutes. Rice will be creamy and just tender.
• Stir in 2 more tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, chopped mint, grated lemon peel, peas, and reserved vegetables.
• Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.