Give comfort food a whole new meaning. Winter months call for a hearty soup that nourishes your body and soul. Try this delicious dish packed with nutrients featuring the ancient grain farro.

Farro is a nutrient-packed grain has been traced back to early Mesopotamia almost 20,000 years ago! With a nutty flavor, and a chewy texture, its perfect for risotto-style dishes, stews, casseroles sautés and especially soups.

Serving size: About 2 cups; Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 Fennel bulb, thinly slide bulb and finely mince fronds (keep separate)
• 1 Onion, minced
• 3 – 4 Carrots (depending on size), slice into half moons
• 3 Celery stalks, chopped
• 1 15 oz. can Diced tomatoes with their juice
• 6 cups vegetable stock
• Parmesan rind [see note]
• 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1-2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 tsp. Badia seasoning (or your favorite seasoning mix: Mrs. Dash, etc.) or omit
• 2 tsp. Smoked paprika
• 2-3 cups Kale, spinach, or other hearty leafy green, cut into pieces
• 1 can white beans (cannellini or northern), rinsed and drained
• ½ cup farro, cooked according to package directions
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat oil in stock pot. Add fennel bulb, onion, carrots, celery and sauté 5-10 minutes until softened and just starting to brown.
2. Add diced tomatoes with their juices, stock, parm rind, fennel fronds, rosemary, thyme, badia seasoning, smoked paprika, and kale. Bring to a boil then simmer for 15-20 minutes until the veggies are cooked through. Add white beans and farro and adjust seasoning.
3. Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for up to 2 hours to meld flavors. Remove rosemary sprig and parm rind. Keeps well in the fridge for a week.

Notes

1. Some grocery stores sell parmesan rinds in the deli cheese section. If you can find parmesan rinds, you may substitute with 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese but add it at the very end as you turn off the heat (in section 3).
2. Add any veggies you like such as potatoes, parsnips, zucchini, whatever you have on hand.
3. If you do not have farro, substitute with another hearty grain such as spelt berries, wheat berries, pearled barley, brown rice, etc.

Nutrition information: Calories: 383 per serving; Total fat: 7g; Saturated fat: 1.2g; Dietary fiber: 22g; Total sugars: 7.1g; Protein: 24.4g; Calcium: 204mg; Iron: 8mg; Potassium: 1892mg.