Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Spanish onion, thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 leek, white and light green part only, thinly sliced
1 cup faro (may substitute wheat berries)
1 (12-ounce) can borlotti beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Water
1 1/2 cups fresh green peas
2 large carrots, cut into 1/4-inch half moons

2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

In a 10-inch Dutch oven or
stockpan, heat the olive oil over a medium-high flame until hot but not smoking. Add the
onion, celery, and leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and light golden
brown, about 5 minutes. Add the faro, beans, and tomato paste, stirring so that the tomato
paste is spread throughout the pan. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Add water until the
mixture is completely covered. Let the liquid come to a boil then lower the heat and let
the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes.

Add the peas and the carrots, stirring to combine, and continue to cook for another 30
minutes, adding more water when necessary to keep the soup from getting to dry.

To serve: Divide evenly between 4 warmed soup bowls and garnish, to taste, with basil and
Parmigiano-Reggiano.