Tuscan Farro Soup with Beans

Step 1

Add the olive oil (1 tbsp) and chopped carrot, celery and onion to large pot and saute gently on a medium/low heat until soft. Add the pancetta (1/2 cup/100g) and garlic (2 cloves) and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2

Rinse the canned borlotti beans (3 cups/800g) and add them to the vegetables and pancetta with 2 cups/500ml of vegetable stock.

Step 3

Blitz the beans, veg and pancetta into a puree using a hand-held blender ( don't worry if it's not completely smooth as long as the majority of the mixture has been pureed)

Step 4

Rinse the farro thoroughly under running cold water. Put the soup back over a medium heat and add the farro (1 cup/180g).

Step 5

Add the passata (2 tbsp), 3 more cups of vegetable stock (750ml), a pinch of salt and pepper and rosemary sprigs, stir the soup and cook covered for 30-40 minutes until the farro is cooked through.

Step 6

Serve in large bowls with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of pepper and some crusty bread.