Summer Tomato And Basil Soup With Farro Recipes

FRESH TOMATO SOUP WITH BASIL AND FARRO

Steps:

• Pour 8 cups cold water and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt into a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to medium, add the farro and basil stems, and cook until grains are tender but still a little chewy, about 25 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the leek and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to medium and cook leeks until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup reserved cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes have completely fallen apart, about 30 minutes.
• Using an immersion blender, blender or food processor, purée the tomato mixture until smooth (you may have to do this in batches). Add half the farro and pulse until the grains are broken down and the soup is a chunky purée. Stir in the remaining farro. If the soup seems thick, add more cooking liquid. Taste and add more salt if needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Drizzle with oil; top generously with black pepper and torn basil leaves.

SUMMER TOMATO AND BELL PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl; whisk to blend. Season soup to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled and flavors blend, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
• Ladle soup into 4 bowls. Top each with 1 goat cheese round and 3 grape tomato halves. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and basil. Drizzle with oil and serve.

SUMMER TOMATO AND BASIL SOUP WITH FARRO

Steps:

• Cook farro in a rice cooker according to manufacturer's instructions for brown rice, about 30 minutes.
• Clean the cooker, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and set to "cook." Add onion and a pinch of salt, then close lid. Stir every 5 minutes or so, until onions begin to brown, about 20 minutes. If cooker clicks to "warm," reset it to "cook."
• Add garlic and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, basil and a teaspoon of salt. Stir, close lid and cook 30 minutes.
• Add farro and thin with broth until soupy. Close lid and simmer another 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with a generous drizzle of olive oil and, if desired, cheese.

SUMMER TOMATO SOUP WITH BASIL AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, onion, garlic, and bread crumbs in a medium glass bowl. Add the vinegar, stock, thyme, and 12 of the basil leaves. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and marinate 12 hours in the refrigerator.
• Puree the mixture, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. If too acidic (and this will depend on the tomatoes you've used), add a little honey.
• Serve cold with the remaining basil leaves shredded and scattered over top along with some croutons, if using.