Farro is my favorite grain and this dish is divine! I used vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian.It was really hard for me to store the leftovers. I wanted to eat it all!!!

Jim, who isn't much of a vegetarian, suggested the addition of chicken sausage or shrimp but I thought it was perfect in its original incarnation.

Farrotto with Artichokes

Eating Well March/April 2009

•  1/2 cups farro, rinsed 
• 1 leaf fresh sage
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained well
• 1 10-ounce box frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• 1 1/2-2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth or water
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

Preparation

1. Place farro in a large saucepan and cover with about 2 inches of water. Add sage and rosemary. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the farro is tender but still firm to the bite, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the herbs and drain.
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the farro, tomatoes, artichokes, basil, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.
3. Add 1/2 cup broth (or water), bring a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring, until most of the broth is absorbed. Repeat with the remaining broth (or water), adding it in 1/2-cup increments and stirring until it’s absorbed, until the farro is creamy but still has a bit of bite, about 10 minutes total. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese and lemon zest. Serve sprinkled with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Nutrition

Per serving: 264 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 9 mg cholesterol; 43 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 11 g protein; 8 g fiber; 530 mg sodium; 168 mg potassium.