Fab farro

Have you discovered farro? Or, are you already a long-time fan? It seems all the rage these days, and having loved its chewy, nutty grains for years now, I feel validated as more than a healthy outlier. Though I've seen some folks dispute this (including the author of the article I link to at the end of this post), Harold McGee does not, and I respect him tremendously so will go with his assessment of farro as a member of the wheat family, specifically Emmer wheat or T. turgidum dicoccum. Farro is the Italian word for emmer, and indeed, Italy (specifically Tuscany) is where I first, or most memorably, tasted this wonderful grain which looks like a fat bit of brown rice that itself resembles a miniature pistolette. It's often served on its own, as a base for salads or as an addition to soups, but I've also enjoyed it ground and then made into pasta. Too, you may have heard of farrotto which is like a risotto made with farro rather than rice.

Farro, often called pearled farro, is much more expensive in the U.S. than it is in Italy so I tend to have my sister bring me a solid stash when she comes to visit from Florence (or I schlep a great deal home after a trip east). You prepare it as you would rice, barley or other grains; boiling it simply in water or broth with some salt will suffice perfectly. I believe my favorite way of enjoying it is as a base for a grain salad for then it can really shine.

Tonight, having had a green salad last night and again today for lunch with Ol (salad king of children 4 and under), I wanted a Meatless Monday dish of more substance. My pantry supply of farro still adequate, I decided to boil some while I roasted a celery root and the rest of a head of cauliflower that desperately wanted to exit the crisper drawer. As an aside, roasted celeriac and cauliflower, tossed with olive oil, salt and a bit of cinnamon, make for a fabulous snack and/or addition to pretty much anything. LOVE.

So anyway, while the veggies were roasting, I boiled the farro in vegetable broth until chewy-tender, drained it over some chopped, raw kale (the steam from the former would steam the latter) and then tossed all that with some of the veggies and some freshly crumbled feta. Meal of champions, and a healthy one to boot. I served it alongside a rather large glass (or two) of a crisp, cold albariño and felt satisfied as could be.

If you want to read a bit more, this is a lovely article (though wow, 1997!!).

A blur

A second babysitter cancelled. Tom is in CA. The cat bit my nose at 5 am. It's cold as balls outside. The dog needs to be walked. Have I brushed my teeth today? Am I late for something? I don't know about those last two. It's distinctly possible that the answers are no and yes, respectively. My U.S. Food System class ends Wednesday, and I've just managed to finish things up. Talk about cutting it close. Good lord. I swear to you, dear readers, never again while the boys aren't in school full-time will I take two classes concurrently. You can hold me to it.

Highlight: The mailman delivered good news to us, and we are all feeling terribly happy. Jack hugged and kissed Oliver, and they did a jig in celebration of knowing they'll be at the same school starting in the fall. That was adorable and dear.

I managed to get some ricotta made though with heavy whipping cream rather than just-your-basic heavy cream as I was out of the latter. This is an unusual item to be missing from my fridge, and I'll remedy that soon. Today's ricotta is delicious but it didn't curd as tightly as the usual. Comforting nonetheless.

Gawd, I've just realized my writing is as jumpily staccato as has been my day.

Wine tonight.

A frigid morning at the farmers market

This morning was one of those visits to the farmers market in which the idea of a leisurely stroll through the myriad stalls disappears immediately upon opening your car door and realizing just how darn cold it really is. Jack and I were on a date and we'd bundled up but wow on the wind: it was a sharp knife on wings. We scurried to our favorite stops, a raspberry palmier for Jack here, sunchokes for me there. All in all it was a fun, productive visit but as Oliver would say, "I'm brrr."

We returned home to find Oliver in prime dude form, thrilled to have just walked with T to Crate & Barrel for a new bathroom cup. I assume orange was not available as he picked neon "lellow" instead.

I had big plans to make the salad highlighted in today's NYT Magazine (house salad from Canlis in Seattle) for dinner but as T left for CA, I had class, my babysitter and I had a miscommunication about her coming today, Percy continues to pee on our couch and I can't find his dog-diaper, I decided to go with a tried-and-true house salad a la Em-i-lis (the compost salad), enjoy a single Applejack Rabbit and hit the sack with today's paper. See you all on the other side. Of the day, peeps, the day.

Oh, and I did indulge in this insanely delicious chocolate eclair from the Bonaparte stall. Perfection! DC-area folks, I highly suggest you find your way to Bonaparte (bricks-and-mortar or at the Dupont FM) and treat yourself to one or many of these.