Reaching out to Others with Kale Butternut Farro Soup

This Kale Butternut Farro Soup is delicious with leftover turkey or chicken, the perfect comfort dish to serve to a friend or two!

Friends, I was in Chicago this past weekend and we had the most glorious, sunny weather. A few friends and I went to the closing BlogHer Food conference, and rented an AirBnB for the weekend (what a way to go! so inexpensive), and we had a wonderful time. I love getting to know my blogging friends better.

Oh, and one night for dinner we enjoy Boka, a Michelin Star restaurant in Lincoln Park. It was fabulous! My old roommate’s son is the maitre d’ so it was wonderful to see Matt there, too! We also enjoyed Eataly several times, and walked all over Chicago! The colors are still pretty there!

Here’s Erin, Lori, Rachel, me and Dara. Our friend Allie was taking the photo after we had lunch at the Cherry Circle Room – delicious for lunch or dinner.

And a lovely dinner in a private home in Lincoln Park, with Gourmet Garden (herbs and spices), hosted by the lovely Tomato Tart. Can’t wait to share more about these delicous spices and herbs!

We also got to hang out with friends, Ree (aka The Pioneer Woman), and Elise (Simply Recipes), who are both so gracious and hospitable.

Hospitality.

Speaking of hospitality, I have a friend who is so gracious with her hospitality. She’s a perfect example to me, because she’s very last-minute with inviting guests over. In fact, I love to watch her, how she includes others, even when it’s not in her home. I think we often tie hospitality with our homes, two links in a chain, when it’s really something that we can carry with us wherever we go, and doesn’t even have to involve food. My friend, in particular, is great about inviting others to join for coffee, lunch, or even to just go for a walk. She’s great about connecting people, and I have learned a lot from her.

Reaching out.

Reaching out to others requires a little courage, especially if it stretches you (maybe you are shy, an introvert, or conversation is hard for you), because there’s always the chance that people will say no. But then, there is the chance that they will say yes! I often take the chance, because I know that connecting and building relationships makes me a better person. It stretches me not to exclude others, but to include others. Of course we can’t be everywhere and be everything to people, but however I can extend myself and be used in a small way to know others better, helps me to grow as a person. To see others in their own uniqueness … more about them, less about me.

So, I did this last week, with a simple meal.

I opened my home with a last-minute meal for a couple of friends and and kept it simple and relaxed.

Kale Butternut Farro Soup.

I’m so glad I did. I made a Kale Butternut Farro Soup recipe, which is sort of like a soup. I served it with crunchy pieces of bread and ice water. So simple!

You can make it vegetarian, or add turkey or chicken!

Like my friend, you can offer simple hospitality in so many different ways. Whether you like to do dinner parties, or casual, impromptu get-togethers, or you want to just meet in the park for coffee, figure out what works for you and just DO IT.

The important thing is to have people at the forefront of your mind, to truly relax, be in the moment, and ask a lot of questions.

What helps you “stretch yourself” and make a simple invite?

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Get the Recipe:

Kale Butternut Farro Soup

Prepare farro in advance and store in refrigerator. Cook in rice cooker on brown rice setting, 1 cup farro to 1 1/2 cups of water, or on stovetop following package directions.

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Yield: 8 -10

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Ingredients

 

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• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• Salt & pepper
• 2-3 garlic cloves
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups turkey, or rotisserie chicken, in small pieces
• 1 lb. butternut squash, cooked
• 2 cups cooked farro
• 5 oz. kale
• 1-2 tsp. five spice powder or curry
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, and season with salt and pepper. Saute the mixture until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook for another minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add chicken broth, bring to a boil. Add in the turkey (or chicken), butternut squash, cooked farro, and spices; cook on low to medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the kale; gently stir. Place a lid on the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with creme fraiche and sprinkle with five spice.

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

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