5 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups farro, rinsed
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 bunch asparagus, about 1 lb.
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 head of romanesco, cut into florets
6 cloves garlic - minced
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen English peas
Grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3-oz. piece Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (for garnish
Roast beef -or- chicken -or- fish to pair with dish

1 - In a large, heavy fry pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onion and celery and sauté until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the farro and stir to coat with the oil. Cook, stirring, until the farro is lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and stir until it has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the stock and stir to scrape up the browned bits from the pan bottom.

2 - Transfer the contents of the pan to a slow cooker. Stir in the remaining 3 cups stock, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of pepper. Cover and cook on low according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the farro is tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

3 - Meanwhile, trim the tough stem ends from the asparagus and cut the spears into 2-inch lengths. Bring a saucepan three-fourths full of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus pieces, reserving the tips, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the asparagus tips and cook until all the pieces are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes more. Drain the asparagus and rinse under cold running water until cool. Spread the pieces out on a kitchen towel to dry.

4 - Moving onto the romanesco, preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place florets on the parchment paper and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and crushed garlic. Mix everything around with a spatula. Then grate half the lemon zest atop and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Bake for approx. 20 minutes, or until tender and browned.

5- About 5 minutes before the farro is ready, in a large, heavy frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the peas and sauté for 1 minute. Add the asparagus and romanesco and sauté until all the vegetables are just tender and heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in remaining lemon juice.

6 - Stir the vegetables into the farro and transfer to a warmed serving bowl. Garnish with the lemon zest and parsley. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the cheese over the top. Serve immediately beside your choice of roast beef, fish or poultry.