Bluebird Ingredient: Emmer Farro

January 4, 2014

Creamy Farro and Chickpea Soup

Print Recipe
4 people

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup dried chickpeas soaked in water overnight
  • 3/4 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro soaked in water overnight
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon prosciutto chopped
  • 1 tablespoon celery minced
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 2 pinches nutmet freshly grated
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for garnish
  • flat leaf parsley chopped

Methods

  • Drain chickpeas, and place in a medium earthenware pan or saucepan. Cover with plenty of cold water, and bring to a boil.
  • Add sea salt and bay leaves. Reduce heat, and cook, covered, until very soft, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat olive oil and gently cook onion, prosciutto, and celery for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft but not brown. 
  •  Drain farro, and add it along with the chicken broth, marjoram, and nutmeg to the onion mixture. Cook, partially covered, for about 1 hour.
  • Drain chickpeas, reserving the cooking liquid. Discard bay leaves.
  • In a food processor, puree chickpeas with 1 cup of the reserved liquid.
  • Add pureed chickpeas to the farro mixture; if necessary, add more of the cooking liquid from the chickpeas to achieve the consistency of a creamy soup.
  • Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Wait 10 minutes before serving, and sprinkle each portion with chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.

 

January 4, 2014

Bluebird Farms' Farro Soup with Squash Vines, Lemon and Yogurt

Print Recipe
6 people
In Sicily and Mexico tender young squash vines are added to many varieties of soups and stews. If the stems are too large you may need to peel the fibrous coating before cooking. You may use black kale, spinach, or beet greens but the flavor will be slightly different.
The farro is best cooked separately and added in before serving, as it gets bloated and mushy if left in the soup too long.

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
  • 2 quarts water or chicken stock
  • 1 pound tender squash vines cleaned and chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • Greek yogurt for garnish

Methods

  • Cook the farro in boiling salted water until tender, and drain. (about 50 minutes)
  • In a large pan, fry the onion in the oil until soft and golden.
  • Add the garlic and stir until it begins to change color, lightly browned.
  •  Add the potatoes, water or stock, and simmer for about 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
  •  Add the chopped squash vines and cilantro to the soup and season with salt and cayenne pepper. 
  • Stir well and add the farro and more liquid, if necessary, to have a lighter consistency.
  • Cook a few minutes more and add the lemon juice to taste (it should be slightly tangy).
  • Garnish with a big dollop of Greek yogurt and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.

 

January 4, 2014

Old World Cereal with Cinnamon, Vanilla and Walnuts / Dried Fruit

Print Recipe
4 servings
Adapted from Culinary Institute of American – IA Healthy Cooking cookbook Dover Point Gourmet-Private Chefs – Chef Peter Witt

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water or skim milk
  • 1 cup Old World Cereal from Bluebird Grain Farms
  • 1/2 cup fruit see notes dried fruits
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 4 ounces walnuts chopped

Methods

  • Bring the milk or water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Gradually add the old world cereal, stirring constantly. Simmer them, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 15- 20 minutes, depending on how hot the boiling water is to start the process.
  • Stir the salt, fruits, cinnamon/vanilla extract into the cereal and simmer until the cereal has absorbed the liquid up to an additional 10 minutes.
  • Serve in heated bowls and drizzle 3/4 teaspoon of honey on each portion and add 1 ounce of walnuts to each bowl.
  • Notes: A great alternative to Quaker Oats and Steel Cut Oats the spices add a new dimension to hot cereal without adding calories.
    Portion information: 3 1/4 ounces or 90 grams
    Steel cut oats, scotch oats or irish oatmeal are all names for groats that have been cut into 2-3 pieces and not rolled. They take longer to cook than rolled oats and have a chewy texture.
    Use a variety of dried fruits such as cherries, blueberries, currants, cranberries, apricots, dates, figs, raisins, or prunes

 

January 4, 2014

Emmer Polenta with Cheese

Print Recipe
Compliments of: Acacia Larson MPH, RD, CD

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Bluebird Grain Farm’s Cracked Emmer
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup cubed or crumbled cheese OR 1 1/2 cup grated cheese. Use any cheese you prefer, but fontina is fabulous!

Methods

  • Combine the cracked emmer, broth and water in a medium pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes or until thick and creamy.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese to melt.
  • Serve on the side or under any kind of braised, roasted or grilled meat or vegetable
  • Fried Polenta leftovers: lightly oil a baking dish and pour in the polenta. Spread in an even layer to coat bottom of dish, then cover and refrigerate. Polenta will get firm, and can be cut into shapes and fried in a bit of oil for a crispy treat! Serve on their own, or with a sauce such as marinara.

January 3, 2014

Cracked Farro Porridge

Print Recipe
3
Recipe by Bluebird Grain Farms
A delicious hot cereal that can be enjoyed with your favorite nuts, fruit, or an organic fruit syrup!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Cracked Farro Porridge
  • 3 cups water
  • Pinch salt optional

Methods

  • On stovetop add 1 cup of cracked farro porridge and a pinch of salt* to 3 cups of water. 
  • Bring to boil, then simmer on low while stirring frequently until water is absorbed and bubbles appear (15 min).

 

January 3, 2014

Farro, Asparagus and Tuna Wraps

Print Recipe
4 people
Food rolled in an edible wrapper and eaten by hand is a tradition in many cuisines, including Chinese mu shu and Mexican burritos. The Ancient idea takes a modern twist in the proliferation of restaurants serving WRAPS. Serve the wrap as an appetizer or for a quick lunch. This recipe makes 4 half sandwich wraps. If you are making a vegan wrap substitute avocados for the Tuna. Mix the avocado, lime juice and garlic into a coarse puree. Then substitute avocado mixture for the Tuna.

Ingredients

  • 12 asparagus remove woody stems. Minimum 3 spears per wrap
  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Split Emmer Farro
  • 8 ounces tuna in water
  • 4 tortillas
  • 1/2 cup red onion diced
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup yogurt plain, low fat
  • 1/4 cup Ranch salad dressing
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Asiago cheese grated
  • 1 avocado if using instead of tuna mix with tablespoon lime juice and minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup kalamata olives pitted and chopped
  • 1/4 tablespoon garlic minced, optional

Methods

  • Remove tough ends of asparagus by snapping or cutting the woody ends off the spears.
  • In medium sauce pan over high heat bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Place the asparagus in the steamer, cover and steam until tender 1-3 minutes.
  • Check asparagus if they need more steaming increment by 1 minute up to a max of 6 minutes. When completed with steaming remove the asparagus and immediately rinse in cold water to stop the cooking. Drain thoroughly.
  • Cook the Farro in hot boiling water with a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes to completely cook the Split Farro.
  • Let farro cool for a few minutes before adding Yogurt.
    In a small bowl stir together the split farro and yogurt to mix well. Let it stand and cool before mixing with Tuna Mixture
  • Put the tuna in a bowl. Add the mustard and ranch dressing. Also add the diced onion and grated asiago cheese. Mix to combine. Add pinch of salt and pepper as needed
  • You can then mix the split farro/yogurt mixture with the tuna mixture. This is insuring that all the ingredients are mixed into the sandwich spread.
  • Heat a dry large frying pan (not one with a nonstick surface) over medium heat. One at a time heat the tortillas in the hot pan until softened about 20 seconds per side.
  • Lay the tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Spread on the tuna/farro mixture equally on each half of the tortillas.
  • Lay the asparagus spears and cilantro on top of the tuna/farro mixture
  • Fold in both sides and the bottom of each tortilla up over the filling, then Roll to close. If made in advance cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 hour. Return to room temperature before serving.
  • To Serve, Cut each Wrap in half crosswise.

January 3, 2014

Fall Farro Salad with Beets, Beet Greens, and Feta

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro soaked for one hour in water and drained
  • 2 medium beets cooked, reserve beet greens and cook as directed below
  • salt preferably kosher salt to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic minced or pureed
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin (or substitute 1-2 tablespoons walnut oil for part of the olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces broken
  • 2 ounces feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs (any combo of parsley, tarragon marjoram, chives, mint) chopped

Methods

  •  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 beet 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.

 

January 3, 2014

Mushroom Soup with Split Emmer Farro

Print Recipe
4 people

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups yellow onions diced
  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Split Emmer Farro
  • 2 pounds mushrooms sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill plus extra for topping
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup milk or cream
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • fresh parsley minced

Methods

  • In a Dutch oven melt the butter.
  • Add onions, saute over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add mushroom, salt, dill, and paprika. Saute until mushrooms release their moisture (about 8 minutes).
  • Add split farro. Stir well and cover. Let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in lemon juice, stock, and white wine. Cover and cook about 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
  • Stir in milk; add black pepper to taste and more salt if needed.
  • Pulse ingredients quickly with an immersion blender, careful to not over blend, leaving chunks of mushrooms for texture.
  • Whisk in the sour cream. Do not boil or cook on high heat. Gently keep warm until ready to serve.
  • Top with freshly minced parsley and sprinkle with dried dill. 

January 3, 2014

Fresh Herbs & Farro Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup fresh herbs chopped (any combo of oregano, marjoram, mint, parsley, chives)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Methods

  • Measure five parts liquid to one part farro, boil gently for 50-60 minutes in salted water or stock. Farro is done when it’s tender, but still has a slight bite similar to al dente pasta. It doesn’t soak up the liquid as rice does, but expands and cooks in the ample liquid. Drain off excess when the farro is done.
  • Finely chop the onion, garlic and fresh herbs, set aside
  • Mix together in a bowl: 2 T olive oil, 3 T red wine vinegar, 1 t honey, a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. 
  • Add onions and garlic to olive oil and vinegar mix while farro cooks. 
  • When farro is done, drain and mix thoroughly with dressing and all of the freshly chopped herbs. 
  •  An assortment of embellishments would complement this salad: a pinch of cumin, golden raisins, dried cherries, chopped nuts, or enjoy it simply with the herbed dressing.

 

January 3, 2014

Emmer Farro with Arugula & Goat Cheese

farro with arugula, grain salad, best side salad
Print Recipe
4 people

Ingredients

For the Farro
  • 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt kosher or sea salt
For the Dish
  • 1 medium cucumber chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
  • 3 ounces goat cheese softened
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium shallot peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups arugula chopped

Methods

To Cook the Farro
  • Place the farro, water and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes. Drain excess water.
To Finish
  • Place the warm cooked farro in a large mixing bowl and add the olive oil and balsamic, stir to mix well.
  •  Add chopped shallot, arugula, cucumber and chevre and stir to combine all ingredients.
  • Season to taste with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Serve warm or chilled

January 3, 2014

PCC Natural Markets' Methow Valley Salad

Print Recipe
2 people
PCC Deli’s Methow Valley Salad has won the hearts of many. Hearty, fresh greens mixed with herbs and Bluebird’s signature Farro.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup basil oil
  • 1/4 pound roma tomatoes diced into 1/2 inch half moons
  • 1/4 cup carrots shredded
  • 1/3 pound chard and kale mixed (equal parts green kale, red kale and red chard, stems removed, cut into 1 inch pieces)

Methods

  • Soak farro in water overnight.
  • Bring water, pre-soaked farro, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 50 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool slowly at room temperature. Do not rinse.
  • When cooled, place in a large bowl and refrigerate.
  • Mix together lemon juice, garlic, dill, basil, remaining salt, pepper, and both oils until dressing is blended.
  • Toss dressing with grain, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots.
  • To serve, toss equal parts farro-vegetable mixture and loosely packed greens in a bowl.

 

January 3, 2014

Emmer Berry Salad with Fruit, Feta, and Pecans

Emmer Salad, summer farro salad, farro salad recipe,
Print Recipe
4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Bluebird Emmer Farro
  • 3/4 cup feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 3/4 cup dried or fresh fruit chopped (dates, cherries, apricots, grapes, blueberries, cranberries or combo)
  • 3/4 cup pecans toasted
  • 2 cups greens torn (such as kale, arugula, spinach, beet greens or a combo)
  • 1/2 cup green onion minced
  • fresh herbs of your choice for garnish

Methods

Dressing
  • Combine 1/4 c honey, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 2 T balsamic vinegar; mix well
Salad
  • Bring a large sauce pot of water to a boil. Add emmer grain and bring to a low simmer. Cook covered for 50 minutes or until berries are plump, soft, but still chewy. Remove from heat, drain grain and set aside to cool.
  • As berries cool toss lightly with a little olive oil or rinse with cold water to cool and re-drain.
  • While grain is cooking, toast your pecans.
  • Chop cheese and dried fruits into 1/4 – 1/2 inch pieces. Chop onions and tear greens of choice into 1 inch pieces.
  • When grain is cool, combine all ingredients and toss well. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs of choice and serve with grilled meat, fish or as a vegetarian main course.