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Farro with Fennel and Carrots
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 45 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 75 Minutes
Servings: 8
This side dish plays the dual role of salad (with crunchy fennel and carrot and fresh parsley) and bed for the Cornish hens (recipe precedes) — the seasoning of these chewy grains echoes that of the olive butter tucked under the birds' skin.
Ingredients:
1 lb farro (2 3/4 cups)
3 cups chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth (24 fl oz)
2 cups water
1 garlic clove
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 large fennel bulb (1 lb; sometimes labeled anise ), stalks discarded and bulb cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup pitted kalamata or other brine-cured black olives (3 oz), quartered
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 lb carrots (about 5 medium)
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
1. Cover farro with cold water in a bowl and soak 30 minutes, then drain in a colander.
2. Bring farro, stock, and water (2 cups) to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until farro is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in colander.
3. While farro cooks, mince garlic and mash to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt using a large heavy knife. Transfer to a large bowl and add fennel, olives, oil, vinegar, pepper, and remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt.
4. Cut carrots into 3/4-inch-thick long diagonal slices with slicer, then, using a knife, cut slices into 3/4-inch-thick matchsticks. Add carrots to fennel mixture along with drained farro and parsley, tossing to combine well.
5. Cooks' note: Farro with fennel and carrots can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered.
By RecipeOfHealth.com