Farro, an ancient grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture, has been a staple food in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. It's packed with fiber, protein, and essential minerals, making it a nutritious and versatile ingredient for various dishes. Whether you're seeking a hearty salad, a warm and comforting soup, a flavorful pilaf, or a delicious side dish, farro offers a range of culinary possibilities.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to cooking farro, ensuring perfect results every time. From basic cooking methods to creative recipes, you'll find everything you need to incorporate this ancient grain into your meals. Discover how to cook farro on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or even in the Instant Pot for quick and effortless preparation.
Learn how to make a classic farro salad featuring fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing. Explore a hearty farro soup recipe, perfect for chilly days, brimming with savory broth, tender vegetables, and aromatic herbs. If you're craving a flavorful side dish, try the farro pilaf recipe, which combines farro with fragrant spices, toasted nuts, and dried fruits. And for a quick and satisfying meal, try the farro and roasted vegetable bowl, where farro is paired with roasted vegetables, creamy avocado, and a zesty dressing.
With its nutritional benefits and culinary versatility, farro is an excellent addition to any healthy and flavorful diet. Dive into the recipes in this article and unlock the culinary potential of this ancient grain, creating delicious and satisfying dishes that will impress your taste buds and nourish your body.
HOW TO COOK FARRO
Learn how to cook farro perfectly every time! Toss it with the zippy lemon dressing and herbs listed below, or add it to salads, bowls, soups, and more.
Provided by Jeanine Donofrio
Categories Side Dish
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook the farro: Fill a medium pot half full of water and bring to a boil. Add the farro, reduce the heat and simmer until the farro is tender, chewy, but still has an al dente bite - 15 to 20 minutes for pearled farro; 20 to 30 minutes for semi-pearled farro; up to 40 minutes for whole farro.
- Drain, then spread onto a large plate or sheet pan to cool and dry for 20 minutes. This keeps it from continuing to steam which makes it mushy.
- Make the lemon herb dressing: Mixing the olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper in the bottom of a large mixing bowl. Add the farro and toss. Stir in the parsley and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste and serve.
HOW TO COOK FARRO
Learn how to cook perfect farro with this simple technique. One part raw farro yields twice as much cooked farro. As written, this recipe yields 2 cups cooked farro. Multiply as needed.
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Side dish
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Rinse the farro in a fine mesh sieve under cool running water (this step is important to remove any dust and excess starch).
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed farro and at least 4 cups water, or enough to cover the farro by several inches. Add the salt. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook until the farro is tender to the bite but still pleasantly chewy. Pearled farro will take around 15 minutes; unprocessed farro will take 25 to 40 minutes. Drain well.
- If desired, stir in the olive oil and garlic while the farro is still hot. Season with another pinch or two of salt, as needed. Serve as desired.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/2 cup salted cooked farro, Calories 140 calories, Sugar 0 g, Sodium 170.5 mg, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 30 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 6 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
HOW TO COOK FARRO
A chewy grain with a delicious nutty flavor, farro works well in grain salads, soups, risotto, and as a side dish. It's part of the wheat family and long been popular in Italy. We like it's versatility and ability to work well with strong ingredients like beets or salty cheese.
Provided by Riley Wofford
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 30m
Yield Makes about 21/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, combine farro and 1 teaspoon salt; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 25 minutes. Use immediately, or spread on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.
INSTANT POT® FARRO
Farro is probably my favorite grain. I love it in salads, pilafs, and soups! I find the Instant Pot® gets it to the perfect texture and I don't have to worry about overcooking it on the stove.
Provided by LauraF
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Combine water, farro, and salt in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure naturally according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure through the vent. Unlock and remove the lid. Drain any excess liquid that was not absorbed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 99.3 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Fat 0.8 g, Protein 3.4 g, Sodium 197.6 mg
PERFECT FARRO
It's easy to fall in love with the chewy, nutty flavor of this wholesome wheat grain, but you may be hesitant to cook it at home due to its reputation for being tricky to prepare. This couldn't be further from the truth. The hardest part may be knowing which type of farro you've got - it comes in whole grain, semi-pearled (some of the bran is removed) and pearled (all of the bran is removed) - and this is not indicated on all packages. All types have slightly different cooking times and absorb different amounts of liquid, so the best route to perfectly cooked farro is to boil it like pasta and dress and season it after it's out of the pot. Toasting the farro in a skillet before boiling enhances its nutty flavor even more.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield about 5 cups
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil with the bay leaves. Meanwhile, spread the farro in a medium skillet and set over medium heat. Cook the farro, stirring with a wooden spoon, until lightly toasted, about 6 minutes. (The farro will darken a shade and smell nutty and fragrant.)
- Add the farro to the boiling water and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the grains are cooked through but still somewhat chewy, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the type of farro. Drain well and discard the bay leaves.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil or butter and toss to combine. If you are making the farro ahead, spread while hot on a baking sheet lined with parchment to stop the cooking as it cools. Once cool, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Tips:
- Choose the right farro: There are three main types of farro: semi-pearled, pearled, and whole grain. Semi-pearled farro has the outer layer of bran removed, making it quicker to cook and easier to digest. Pearled farro has both the outer layer of bran and the germ removed, making it the quickest to cook and the mildest in flavor. Whole grain farro has all of its bran and germ intact, making it the most nutritious and flavorful, but also the longest to cook.
- Rinse the farro before cooking: This will help to remove any dirt or debris.
- Use a ratio of 1:3 farro to water: This will ensure that the farro cooks evenly and doesn't become too dry.
- Bring the farro to a boil, then simmer: This will help to prevent the farro from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Cook the farro for the recommended amount of time: This will vary depending on the type of farro you are using. Semi-pearled farro will cook in about 20 minutes, pearled farro in about 15 minutes, and whole grain farro in about 45 minutes.
- Fluff the farro with a fork before serving: This will help to separate the grains and make them light and fluffy.
Conclusion:
Farro is a delicious and versatile grain that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a good source of fiber, protein, and iron. It is also a good source of antioxidants, which can help to protect your cells from damage. Farro is a healthy and flavorful addition to any diet.
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