Chickpea and Farro Stew (+ how a new blogger finds her way into the real food world!)

This is a guest post by one of my closest friends (for almost two decades now!), Erin, who recently started her very own food blog – The Open Road Kitchen. Be sure to check it out and also follow her on Facebook and/or Instagram for updates!

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I consider myself an open-minded friend. But when my dear comrade, Lisa Leake, first introduced me to her 100 Days of Real Food idea (back in 2010), I have to admit I had a difficult time not judging her decision to eliminate processed foods. The Lisa and Jason I’d known for years were just like me and my husband: total foodies open to trying anything, at least once. However, that night as we dined at one of our favorite restaurants here in Charlotte, I could tell something had suddenly and drastically changed my friends’ approach to food.

Rather than enjoying how artistically the menu was curated, they instead dissected it for its exclusion of things like organic vegetables and locally raised, grass-fed beef. And, to my dismay, they actually demanded the attention of the head chef to discuss the menu and what items would be appropriate to order based on their 100 Days “purity” pledge. I can’t even remember what they ordered. But as the night concluded, I realized that their commitment to cutting out processed foods was not only about changing their approach to eating. It was about pushing a movement forward for the education of all.

To educate is to become an expert on your subject and to understand the obstacles that the weary present you. This is the beauty of 100 Days of Real Food. It starts as a challenge to try to cut out processed foods by teaching you what qualifies as real food and what foods to avoid. It then enables you to evolve as a consumer to make wise decisions at the market and to delight in enriched meals in the kitchen.

It may surprise you that my approach to cooking is not driven by the whole foods movement. However, while looking at the 100 Days of Real Food rules, I discovered that dishes can inherently qualify as unprocessed by simply using great (from scratch) ingredients and an abundance of flavors. Actually, I took this finding and applied it to how I categorize recipes on my new blog, The Open Road Kitchen. If I thought classifications like “vegetarian, soups, sides, 10 ingredients or less, etc.” warranted inclusion for searching recipes, then “real food approved” did as well.

I am more than pleased to report that 19 of my 30 posted recipes (so far) are real food approved! It’s amazing to think that my style of cooking from scratch, without the intention of being real food approved, can produce recipes like Coconut Quinoa with Basil and Baby Spinach, Moroccan Spiced Carrot and Yogurt Dip, Roasted Fennel and Tomato Soup, and Thai Peanut Dip that nonetheless follow the guidelines set forth by Lisa.

Chickpea and Farro Stew by Erin

One favorite recipe that stands out as real food approved is my Chickpea and Farro Stew, which I am sharing below. It is a humble yet savory dish layered with flavors like freshly squeezed orange juice, cumin, and garlic. The recipe utilizes the overnight soaking method of preparing dried legumes (e.g., chickpeas) and then stews them with petite, diced tomatoes, onions, and low-sodium chicken broth. As you’ll find below, the stew is a beautiful dish finished with cooked farro and fresh cilantro to enjoy hot off the stove or reheated days later.

Enjoy! And, here’s to happy, healthy eating as it comes to us by chance or as it enlightens a change.

Xoxo, E.