Best 4 Luccan Farro Soup Mark Bittman Recipes

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In the heart of Tuscany, where rolling hills adorned with vineyards and olive groves meet the medieval city walls of Lucca, there lies a culinary gem waiting to be discovered – Luccan Farro Soup. This rustic yet elegant dish, crafted with the region's finest farro grains, an assortment of fresh vegetables, savory herbs, and a heartwarming broth, embodies the essence of Tuscan cuisine. As the aroma of toasted garlic and rosemary fills the air, it's time to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Lucca, where tradition and flavors intertwine to create a symphony of taste.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

LUCCAN FARRO SOUP (MARK BITTMAN)



Luccan Farro Soup (Mark Bittman) image

A hearty winter soup from Mark Bittman. He tasted it on a recent trip to Lucca, a town in Tuscany. If you don't have farro, you can substitute with spelt or barley. The recipe was printed in New York Times (Dec. 18, 2008). You can also add a Parmesan rind for more flavour. Enjoy!

Provided by blucoat

Categories     Grains

Time 1h45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 celery ribs, trimmed and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup spelt or 1 cup barley
1 cup dried white bean, soaked for several hours or overnight
2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned are fine, do not drain)
6 cups stock or 6 cups water, more as necessary
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Put oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat; a minute later add onion, celery, carrots, a large pinch of salt and some pepper. Cook until vegetables are glossy and onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, and stir; add farro, beans, tomatoes and stock, and stir.
  • Bring to a boil, then adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until farro and beans are tender, at least an hour, adding stock or water as necessary if mixture becomes too thick. Stir in parsley and basil (if using), then cook another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with lots of Parmesan.

MARK BITTMAN'S FAST VEGETABLE SOUP



Mark Bittman's Fast Vegetable Soup image

This recipe uses whatever ingredients you have on hand and takes about 15 minutes for chopping and 15 minutes for cooking. It's an easy idea from Mark Bittman's new book, "Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating". You can shave some cheese on the soup and serve with a crusty baguette for a quick and satisfying meal.

Provided by blucoat

Categories     Onions

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons olive oil (45 mL)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
salt & freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken stock or 6 cups water, (1.5 l)
3 canned tomatoes, with their juice or 1/4 cup tomato paste, (45 ml)
4 -6 cups quick-cooking vegetables, such as string beans, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, corn kernels, cooked beans, zucchini, squash (1 L to 1.5 L)
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (125 mL)

Steps:

  • Using a large, deep pot over medium heat, heat two tablespoons (30 mL) of the oil and cook onion, carrot, celery and garlic.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook just until onion softens, about five minutes.
  • Add stock, tomatoes and remaining vegetables and bring to a boil. Immediately lower heat so mixture bubbles, and cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and add remaining one tablespoon oil. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 83.1, Fat 6.9, SaturatedFat 1, Sodium 18.1, Carbohydrate 5.3, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 2.5, Protein 0.9

TUSCAN FARRO SOUP



Tuscan Farro Soup image

Simple yet amazing. This healthy soup, a kind of minestrone with farro, is ubiquitous in Lucca, a city in Tuscany. The farro is traditional, but you could use spelt or barley with good results.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, weekday, appetizer

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 celery stalks, trimmed and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup farro, spelt or barley
1 cup dried white beans, soaked for several hours or overnight
2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned are fine; do not drain)
6 cups stock or water, more as necessary
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, optional
Freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Put oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat; a minute later add onion, celery, carrots, a large pinch of salt and some pepper. Cook until vegetables are glossy and onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, and stir; add farro, beans, tomatoes and stock, and stir.
  • Bring to a boil, then adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until farro and beans are tender, at least an hour, adding stock or water as necessary if mixture becomes too thick. Stir in parsley and basil (if using), then cook another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with lots of Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 558, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 86 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 16 grams, Protein 29 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1467 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams

FARRO AND BEAN SOUP



Farro and Bean Soup image

This is a thick, hearty Tuscan-inspired potage with farro and beans. Red, kidney, pinto or borlotti beans (or a blend) most resemble the beans used in Tuscany. The farro and beans are soaked together, then cooked with aromatics, tomatoes and pancetta. The pancetta can be left out for a perfectly delicious vegetarian version.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     soups and stews, main course, side dish

Time 2h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 1/2 cups red beans, kidney beans, pintos or borlottis, rinsed and picked over for stones
3/4 cup farro, rinsed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/4 cup diced pancetta (optional)
1 large onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced (more to taste)
1 bouquet garni with a few sprigs each of parsley and thyme, a bay leaf and a Parmesan rind
1 small carrot, peeled and diced
1 small stalk celery, diced
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cut in half lengthwise, cleaned and sliced thin
Salt
6 sage leaves, chopped, plus more for serving
1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes, with juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan for serving

Steps:

  • Combine beans and farro in a bowl and cover with 1 1/2 quarts water. Soak for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or casserole over medium heat and add half the pancetta, if using, and half the onions. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in half the garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add beans and farro, along with the soaking water. Add another 1 1/2 quarts water and bouquet garni and bring to a gentle boil. Skim foam, reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a heavy skillet and add pancetta. (If not using pancetta, add the remaining onion and the carrot, celery and leeks now.) Cook, stirring often, until pancetta releases some of its fat. Add the remaining onion, and carrot, celery and leeks. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the remaining garlic and the sage. Cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, add the tomatoes and juice, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until tomatoes have cooked down slightly and the mixture is very fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir into the beans and farro and mix well.
  • Add the tomato paste and salt to taste. (You will need a generous amount.) Continue to simmer 30 to 45 minutes, or until beans and farro are very tender and the soup thick, almost creamy. Add pepper, taste and adjust salt. Remove bouquet garni.
  • Stir in the parsley and additional chopped sage if desired. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of Parmesan over each bowl.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 320, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 55 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 17 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 494 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your soup. Look for organic, locally-sourced produce and high-quality olive oil.
  • Don't skimp on the beans: Beans are a key ingredient in this soup, so don't be afraid to use a variety of them. Cannellini, Great Northern, and black beans are all good options.
  • Season to taste: This soup is very forgiving, so feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or garlic if you like.
  • Let the soup simmer: Simmering allows the flavors to meld together and develop. Be patient and let the soup simmer for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you have time.
  • Serve with crusty bread or a green salad: This soup is delicious served with crusty bread or a green salad. It's also a great option for a potluck or party.

Conclusion:

Lucca is a Tuscan city known for its beautiful countryside, delicious food, and rich history. This Lucan Farro Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold day or a special occasion. With its combination of fresh vegetables, beans, and farro, this soup is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying soup recipe, give this Lucan Farro Soup a try.

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