Farro with Pancetta
- 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup boiling hot water
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 ounce thinly sliced pancetta, minced (2 tablespoons)
- 1 medium red onion, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced celery leaves
- 1 pound farro (2 1/2 cups)
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup reserved beef braising liquid (from Red Wine-Braised Beef), optional
- In a small, heatproof bowl, soak the porcini in the hot water until softened, about 15 minutes.
- Lift the mushrooms out of the soaking liquid and coarsely chop them.
- Reserve the soaking liquid.
- In a large saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.
- Add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Add the onion, garlic and thyme and cook, stirring a few times, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped porcini along with the parsley and celery leaves and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Add the farro and stirring to coat the grains, about 1 minute.
- Slowly pour the reserved mushroom soaking liquid into the saucepan, stopping before you reach the grit at the bottom.
- Add the water and salt and bring to a boil.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the farro is tender but still slightly chewy.
- Remove the thyme sprigs.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the farro along with the beef braising liquid, if using.
- Stir to combine well and serve.
porcini mushrooms, boiling hot water, extravirgin olive oil, pancetta, red onion, garlic, thyme, parsley, celery, water, salt, reserved beef braising liquid
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/farro-with-pancetta (may not work)