Sunday, April 3, 2011

It's new to me!

New to me is farro! But my friend, Bubbe, has been using it for years. And loves it. So when I saw it at the grocery, I grabbed it, came home and started looking up recipes. Lots of them. You can use farro in salads and soups, but I decided on Bubbe's Farro Risotto. You can learn more about farro here and here. It's one of the oldest grains and is becoming more and more popular these days. The package says it's been a part of the Italian diet for centuries, very high in fiber and minerals, and an extremely hardy plant that doesn't require fertilizers or pesticides!  You can use it in place of barley in recipes. I think I'm going to have to go out and get some more.


Whole Farro


Dried mushroom mix - porcini, shiitake, black and oyster mushrooms


Delicious, nutty and chewy! First I thought I didn't cook it long enough, so I cooked it some more. But it ended up perfect!  and I'm pretty sure it came out exactly like it was supposed to, we liked it.




Farro, Risotto Style
Source: Renee Ascher aka Bubbeskitchen
adapted There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

1 1/2 cups farro (available at specialty Italian markets or Health Food stores)
2 cups or so mushroom broth, either pre-made or from dried mushrooms below or use the broth from the dried mushrooms and add some chicken stock or water, as needed
4 oz dry or 12 oz fresh assorted mushrooms (porcini, shiitake, cremini, white, etc) or a mix of both fresh and dried mushrooms
1 bay leaf (not California)
1 sprig thyme
1 sprig oregano
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 medium onion, medium dice
white wine, optional
a little grated Parmesan, for serving, optional
olive oil
butter

Rinse, pick over, and soak whole farro grains in cold water for 45 minutes to 2 hours.

If using dry mushrooms, break into small pieces and soak for about 30 minutes in 12 oz of hot water. Strain the mushrooms, being careful to save the mushroom broth. Reserve both the mushrooms and broth. If using fresh mushrooms, saute the mushrooms until tender.

Heat combination of oil and butter in large non-stick skillet, or Dutch oven on med-high heat. Add onion and celery, sauté, reducing heat so not to burn. Season well with salt and pepper. Add herbs, stir. Add the mushrooms.

Increase heat slightly, add drained farro and a bit more oil, stir until sizzling. Add a little white wine, if you like. Add stock, about 1/2 cup at a time, stir until absorbed. At this point the farro will be both tender and chewy, and can be held at room temperature for up to 1 hour. To finish, remove herbs stems and bay leaf, and return farro to low heat adding stock, if needed. Serve hot or room temperature.

Cooks notes: Farro may be rinsed then parboiled in salted water in lieu of long soaking to speed up the tenderizing and shorten cooking time.


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Joining Mary at the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday. Stop by the Little Red House to see more mosaics!

30 comments:

  1. You always seem to have the best recipes, I love stopping by your blog. Your farro risotto style looks yummy. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great week.

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  2. It does kinda look like elongated barley! Sounds yummy:@)

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  3. I haven't tried Farro yet. This recipe makes me want to try!

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  4. Farrow looks like wheat and your preperation is mouth watering.

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  5. Hi Carol! This is new to me, too...but it sounds good and healthy! ♥

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  6. I haven't seen it or tried it...hope it tastes better than quinoa! Howard loves quinoa but it gags me.
    I found the pearl mozzarella, at Walmart of all places!

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  7. Thanks for this enticing recipe. I think I will try a new grain!

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  8. I've never heard of farro and it's not in any of my cook books. Thanks for sharing this new grain and how to cook it.
    Judith

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  9. Thanks for sharing - new to me too, but your recipe makes me want to try it!

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  10. Oh this is a new one to me. I'll pick some up if I ever see it just to give it a try. Thanks!

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  11. I've never heard of farro before, but it does sound like an interesting ingredient for a risotto.

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  12. I haven't tried farro yet either but delicious, nutty and chewy makes me want to try it! I'm sure it's super healthy too.

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  13. Hmmm....we'll have to check that out.
    It looks interesting.

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  14. Looks and sound so yummy, thank you for sharing the recipe. Enjoy your week:)

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  15. This recipe sounds very intriguing and delicious. My son would love it. I'm going to give it a go. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to try it out.
    ~Lynn

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  16. Farro is a wonderful whole grain, Carol, and I don't remember to use it enough. It looks delicious paired with mushrooms

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  17. I've heard of farro but never cooked it. This looks delicious - anything with mushrooms appeals to me.

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  18. I've never heard of this - but it sounds yummy~!

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  19. I haven't tried it but it sure looks good. I think I can buy it through the same people I get my veggies/fruits from each week. I'll have to check it out.

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  20. It's new to me, also! Your mosaic is a good presentation!

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  21. Heard of it, never bought it. How about quinoa?
    I have been reading about how healthy it is.

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  22. I have never tried farro,it's new to me too!I think I will love your version,because I am a mushroom fan!Have a nice week!

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  23. Faro would be new to me as well. I am so glad you posted a very accessible way to cook with it. I will have to give it a try!

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  24. It's new to me too... this dish looks wonderful.

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  25. Farro is new to me too. Glad you posted about it! It does looks so good in your recipe and so healthy.

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  26. I have tried cooking a dish with porcini and the dish tasted delicious!

    You always introduce me to a different kind of cooking, and this is something I want to make!

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  27. It's new to me too! I've seen recipes for it being used in a salad before; but never in a risotto. You've inspired me to give it a try. Thanks! It looks delicious!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. They are fun to read and very much appreciated! Sorry for comment moderation, the spam has been overwhelming lately.

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