
Chicchi (Warm Truffled Spelt Salad)
uring my last visit to Il Castello di Poreta in Umbria, Chef Donatella Lauteri, the young wizard in the kitchen, shared this incredible recipe with me -- warm truffled farro (spelt) salad. Try it today!
Most recipes in Italy are passed on by word of mouth and measurements are not very specific. Use fresh herbs and tomatoes in tiny amounts, pinches, as they are only to accent, not overpower the truffles. Truffle oil may be substituted for the black truffles.
10 ounces dried chickpeas
10 ounces farro (spelt)
3 ounces black truffles
Garlic
Basil
Sage
Rosemary
Oregano
Tomato bits
Salt
Pepper
Chili flakes
Parsley
Soak the chickpeas in cold water for 12 hours, changing the water 3 times. (If you use canned chickpeas, rinse them thoroughly!) Cook the chickpeas in the same water for about 1 hour. Cook the farro in lightly salted water until tender. Do not overcook the chickpeas or farro!
Finely chop the garlic, basil, sage, rosemary, chili flakes, and oregano. Lightly sauté the herbs in olive oil, then add the tomato bits. Add the drained chickpeas and farro, drizzling with a bit of broth until cooked. Off the flame, stir in the truffles and serve with slices of fettunta. Garnish with chopped parsley. (Fettunta is Tuscan garlic bread. A thick slice of Tuscan style bread is toasted and then lightly rubbed with a clove of garlic. The best extra virgin olive oil is poured over the bread. Then it's seasoned with a little salt.)
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