Ingredients
- 1 cup Bluebird Emmer Farro
- 5 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 cup dried Ceci (chickpeas)
- 1/2 cup sherry or wine
- 1 ounce dried Porcini mushrooms
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 pound fresh mushrooms sliced (shiitake, crimini, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 splashes soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon truffle oil or more to taste (optional)
- 6 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 large onion diced
- creme fraiche or sour cream for garnish
Methods
- Combine the farro, chickpeas and porcini mushrooms in a strainer, rinse well and discard any very shriveled looking beans.
- Pour into a large bowl and add the sage, thyme, parsley, bay leaf and 6 cups of water, cover and soak in the refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours
- In a large stockpot, heat 2 Tb olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add 1/4 Cup of the sherry and sauté for 1 minute, until liquid is almost evaporated.
- To the stockpot add the soaked farro & bean mixture, along with the soaking liquid, plus 2 cups of water (or you can use 2 cups of stock or broth for an even richer soup).
- Bring to a boil, cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour. After 1 hour, add 1 teaspoon salt.
- In a large sauté pan, heat 2 Tb olive oil over medium high heat. Add half the sliced mushrooms, making sure there is an even layer of mushrooms and that they are not crowded in the pan. Cook 1-2 minutes to let them brown, then stir or turn them with tongs to brown the other side.
- Add 1/4 tsp salt, a splash of soy sauce, and 2 Tb of the sherry to deglaze the pan. Stir to scrape up any browned bits on the pan, then pour into the stockpot with the simmering soup.
- Repeat with the second batch of mushrooms.
- Continue to simmer the soup for 30 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Taste, season with salt & pepper as you like, add the vinegar and truffle oil.
- Serve warm, with a dollop of crème fraiche or sour cream.