We love grains!

If there is one thing I seriously miss from home, it has got to be steel cut oatmeal with maple syrup and raisins for breakfast. Mmmm, it's so good...especially on a cold winter morning. I find myself not really eating breakfast here, not a good habit by the way. Mental note: make banana bread and scones this week.



Well, I'm pleased to report that Scott found a fantastic store in Palermo called fresco bioligico. During our day of insane, mind numbing walking we wandered over there and to our delight found brown rice, oats and farro (for some reason none of these things are easy to find in Balestrate). To be fair, I should say that we found a hell of a lot more stuff that we wanted to buy, but didn't. We were trying really hard to stay within our food budget for the week. Anyway, last night's dinner was quick, easy and delicious!

farro, fava beans and fennel

1 cup farro
2 cups chicken stock
3 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 onion, medium dice
salt and pepper
1/2 bulb fennel, sliced
1 cup fava beans
parmigiano reggiano

This is seriously one of the simplest and most delicious things I think I've ever made! Put farro, stock, vinegar, onion and salt and pepper in a pot over medium heat. When it comes up to a boil, turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, slice the fennel and shell the beans. After the 15 minutes is up add the fennel to the pot and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes. Plate and add raw fava beans. (Note: the fava beans were so good raw that it would have been a crime to cook them at all.) Top with parmigiano and drizzle with olive oil.

What did I do with the leftovers, you ask? I hauled the leftovers out of the fridge, set it over a low flame and added a little more stock and vinegar. Once it came up to temp I set it on a plate. Add 2 over easy eggs, a sliced tomato, a little more parm, a drizzle of oil and voila...

Add a fried egg to anything and I'm a happy girl.


I'm already thinking about the oatmeal I'll have for breakfast tomorrow!