Update: This recipe made the Top 9 Today! I want to thank all of you so much for your buzz.
The week of kale continues! It was FREEZING today. When Craig and I left the house to go to work this morning it was 6 degrees! Winter officially arrived it's not fun. When I got home, I was craving something warm and comforting, like pasta. Unfortunately, despite having a months supply of homemade sauce in my freezer, I had no pasta at all. This is a very rare occurrence. So, I decided to clean out my cabinets and see what I could throw together. I ultimately decided on an Italian flavored soup filled with the healthy trifecta: beans, greens and whole grains. This simple vegetarian soup is filled with nutty farro, creamy beans and kale. It's a great way to make a filling meal that is low in calories while packed with protein and fiber. Topped with some yummy parmesan, it made for a warm and hearty dinner.
Farro takes a bit of time to cook, but this soup is pretty hands off. You basically just throw everything together and let it simmer for a while. You can certainly substitute any type of green you have on hand, escarole or rabe would be really good as well. I am most excited about the leftovers, the flavors will intensify in the fridge overnight. This should keep in the fridge for 3 days.
Read more for the full recipe!
Ingredients:
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup dry farro
6 oz stewed tomatoes or tomato puree
12 oz low sodium veggie (or chicken) broth
2 bay leaves
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 can (15 oz) cannellini or great northern beans, rinsed
2 cups kale, washed, stems removed and chopped into 1" ribbons
optional: fresh grated parmesan
Step by Step Instructions:
1. Saute onion, garlic, and carrot in olive oil on medium heat 5-7 minutes
2. Season with salt and pepper
3. Add farro, tomatoes, broth, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme
4. Cover and bring to a boil
5. Reduce heat to med-low and simmer, covered for 30 minutes
6. Remove bay leaves, and the stems of the rosemary and thyme
7. Add beans and kale, cover and simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes
8. Serve with parmesan
Awesome looking soup--perfect for this cold weather we're finally having! I'm off to buy some kale... :)
ReplyDeleteAnother hearty meal that's healthy and satisfying, Dara. We're just coming out of a mild deep freeze in Toronto, but I just can't seem to keep my hand and feet warm; hopefully it will get a bit warmer on the weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful soup - it sounds just right for the cold weather and so comforting! Very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteHearty and healthy soup, yumm. I love the kale addition. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteHow funny! I was just posting my latest recipe for kale, chickpea, and farro soup on foodgawker when I saw yours. Hearty soup is so perfect for cold days!
ReplyDeleteOh man, that looks so good. I've been craving white beans for a while now, and this looks like the perfect, most comforting soup :)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I am not a big soup person but this looks freaking awesome. Lol! I'd gobble up a bowl or three in no time. I love those days when the cupboards aren't cooperating with the plan then something better pops in your head. Best recipes are born that way. Great soup!
ReplyDeleteSounds exxxxcellent for your chilly weather. I hadn't heard of farro until now, it does seem like a great grain addition for a soup!
ReplyDeleteA week of kale!?!?!? Me likey! :D
ReplyDeleteOohh...we are in freezing temps, too! This soup looks delicious - I've been trying to eat more kale, and I have never eaten farro!
ReplyDeleteThis hearty soup is simply amazing, and yes, I would like this idea of making the soup and then warming up as and when needed.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so amazing. My mom is obsessed with farro, I will have to pass this recipe on to her!
ReplyDeleteThis looks really healthy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! We are going to dabble on Sunday! I can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing ♥
This is definitely the perfect winter soup =)
ReplyDeleteWow...this looks absolutely delightful. A dish that will fill me up and warm my soul. I just received a beautiful bunch of kale in my csa box this week (http://inherchucks.com/2012/01/05/whats-in-the-box-8/) and I can't wait to try this recipe...or the many others that feature kale. thanks for sharing. I look forward to drooling over more of your delicious food.
ReplyDeleteHi Dara! Thank you for stopping by my blog! I was browsing your recipes earlier and I love this dish very much! It looks so good! I've never used kale before but I saw Trader Joe's has a bag of kale and I thought I was going to use it for something. This recipe will be handy! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried farro before, but I love kale and beans, especially in soup, so adding farro must be good :)Looks like a soup I definitely must try!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful soup recipe! I love the ingredients you've used. New to your site and really enjoying your content.
ReplyDeleteI've made this for lunch two weeks in a row now -- it is absolutely delicious and incredibly satisfying! Very easy, too, with minimal clean up. I addd a bit more liquid to mine to give it a bit more broth. Such a wonderful, healthy meal! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow! This comment made my day. I am so thrilled you are enjoying the soup. I too have made a few batches to take for lunch. I appreciate the feedback SO MUCH.
DeleteOur CSA usually has more kale than I can keep up with. I'm definitely adding this soup to our repertoire. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful soup - the combination is a great representation of what I crave for.
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