GRAINY VEGGIES

This recipe calls for any whole grain you desire, along with lots of veggies.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup uncooked farro
1 15-ounce can vegetable broth, low sodium + 1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon thyme
8 ounces mushrooms, washed and sliced thin
2 cups fresh spinach, washed and ripped into medium pieces
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon thyme, fresh
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar (Especially if true vegan is your thing, go for the purest. As balsamic vinegar goes down in price, the addition of additives goes up.)
2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds
salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION
In a large sauce pan, bring the farro, broth and thyme to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, stir and cover. Cook for 30–40 minutes (unless you purchase the 10-minute farro :), checking on tenderness. Remove from heat and place in medium-size bowl.

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onions and sauté for about 7–8 minutes, or until the onions are slightly browned. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the farro. Stir well.

Add the spinach, balsamic vinegar, fresh thyme and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sunflower seeds. Stir and heat through.
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Once spinach is wilted, place in serving bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon of sunflower seeds, fresh thyme and spinach. Makes 4 side servings or 2 main dish servings.