Farro Pilaf
Ingredients
- Farro Pilaf
- Farro is not a wheat but a plant and a grain similar to spelt mainly grown in Italy. Farro has a nutty taste with an overtone of oatmeal and barley and is a bit chewy and delicious in soups and salads. You need to soak farro for 8 hours before you use it, so it was nice to see that Trader Joe's now carries a 10 minute farro. They also have a 10 minute barley so it is great to make pilafs with them for a different and healthy side dish. It actually took more like 20 minutes, but still a lot less cooking time. You can add more broth to make it a little soupy and add Parmesan cheese and make it more like a risotto.
- Serves 4
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion or leek, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ red pepper, chopped
- 2 cups quick cook farro or quick cook barley
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme or oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
Instructions
In a medium saucepan over medium high heat add olive oil and onion. Sauté until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, celery and red pepper and sauté for 3 minutes. Add farro and sauté for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, salt, pepper and thyme and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cover with lid. Cook for 15-20 (for quick cook farro) or 45-55 minutes for regular farro or until it is cooked through and soft and chewy. Add more stock or water if liquid has all evaporated and the farro needs more cooking or drain remaining liquid if fully cooked. Taste for seasoning. Serve.
