Serves 6

Ingredients

10 baby artichokes
Juice of 3 lemons
½ cup pancetta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ cup white wine
2-3 cups farro, cooked
½ cup parmesan
Salt
Pepper
Lemon Zest Thyme Butter (Recipe Follows)

Directions

In a large bowl of ice water, add the juice of 2 lemons. Trim the baby artichokes by cutting off the stems and top quarter, remove the outer layer leaves until you are at the pale yellowish-colored leaves. Cut the baby artichoke in quarters and place immediately in the cold ice water. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and place the baby artichokes in the boiling water (straight from the ice water, we are avoiding oxidization or browning by using the lemon ice bath first). Cook the baby artichokes until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a large sauté pan cook the pancetta until crispy, remove and set aside. Add the oil, garlic and onion and cook until caramelization process begins or about 7 minutes. Add the lemon zest and the baby artichokes and sauté a few minutes (about 3 minutes total), then add the wine and cook a few minutes longer. Add the cooked farro and stir well, making sure that the farro is heated all the way through. Remove from heat and mix in the parmesan. Seasonn with salt and pepper and serve with a tablespoon of the lemon zest-thyme butter atop.

Lemon Zest-Thyme Butter

Makes ½ cup butter

Ingredients

¹⁄₃ cup butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, chopped superfine
1 medium yellow onion
1 shallot, chopped superfine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ cup fresh thyme, chopped fine
1 teaspoon maldon salt

Directions

In a small mixing bowl combine all of the ingredients and mix well until a smooth butter paste is formed, making sure all the ingredients are well incorporated. Place the mixed butter on a small sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap and roll into a tight log. Place in refrigerator to solidify.