Farro with Blistered Tomatoes, Pesto and Spinach

Make it with fresh-from-­the-market cherry tomatoes when they're in season, but during the rest of the year, use grape tomatoes, as they tend to be more flavorful than cherry during the colder months. If you'd like, substitute arugula, or cooked broccoli rabe or kale, for the spinach. It tastes delicious warm or cold the next day–and topping it with shrimp, chicken or scallops can make it feel new again. Before reheating, add a bit more spinach, drizzle it with a little olive oil and give it a good stir.
- Yasmin Fahr

Serves: 4
Total time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 cup farro, rinsed
• 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 small red onion, peeled, quartered and cut into 1-inch wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the farro
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 
• ¼ cup store-bought or homemade pesto, plus more to taste
• 1 lemon, zested (about 1 tablespoon) and juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 packed cups baby spinach
• 1 (4-ounce) ball fresh mozzarella, torn into chunks, or ½ cup ricotta salata, crumbled (optional)
• ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley or basil leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
  
  

METHOD

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the farro and adjust the heat to maintain a medium boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom, until tender and not too chewy, about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, on a sheet pan, combine the tomatoes and onion wedges with the oil, making sure everything is well coated and glistening, then season with salt, pepper and the red pepper flakes. Roast until the tomatoes blister and slightly deflate, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. When the farro is done, drain, then pour into a serving bowl or back into the pot. Toss with some olive oil, then mix in the pesto. Add the lemon zest and juice, then stir in the spinach. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Scrape the onions, tomatoes and their juices into the farro and season with salt and pepper as needed. Add the cheese (if using), then serve with the herbs.

QUOTE:
"Followed the recipe with the exception of making an arugula pesto, since I had someon hand. Delicious. Will make again. Leftovers destined for breakfast topped with a fried egg."
- Donna