A less-work, more-wholesome twist on regular risotto, farro risotto is
100% whole grainPacked with fiber, iron, protein, and magnesiumUltra-creamy thanks to a nutty, salty Parmesan cheeseAnd tastes fabulous when served warm and at room temperature (we enjoyed round one for a cozy dinner on our porch, then I packed up the leftovers to take with us to an outdoor picnic with friends)
To anyone who has been intimidated by risotto: this farro risotto is for you. Farro risotto (aka, farroto. <—I find this word fun to say) is simpler to make than traditional risotto (although this Slow Cooker Risotto with Butternut Squash is pretty simple too) because it requires less tending on the stove (as in, you ignore it for large portions of the recipe cook time). Further helping our cause: because farro is firm and nutty, it’s far more forgiving.
How to Make Farro Risotto
If you’re looking for a fresh meal idea to brighten your summer spread, this make-ahead farro risotto recipe is ideal for packed school or work lunches, or a unique potluck dish.
The key one, as its name suggests, is that farro risotto uses farro instead of the traditional arborio rice.Traditional risotto is made with arborio rice, Parmesan, butter, and white wine, plus any other vegetable or meat option you care to stir into it. It’s not difficult per se but does require a certain level of babysitting.I adore risotto (especially this Beet Risotto). It’s rich, creamy, decadent, and indisputably delicious. However, it’s also kind of a pain, and the sort of thing I prefer to make for special date-night dinners.Farro risotto, on the other hand? It is much more simple, AND it’s healthy too!
The Ingredients
Farro. The nutty, chewy cousin to risotto is not only delicious but healthy and filling too (try it in the Honey Lime Tofu Stir Fry next).
Canned Diced Tomatoes. Ultra-convenient, these stand in for part of the chicken stock traditionally used for risotto. Canned tomatoes make the risotto especially flavorful and add that pretty red hue too.Fresh Cherry Tomatoes. Jewels of the garden, they burst with every bite.
Garlic and Shallot. For a little zip and Italian pizzaz.Vegetable Stock. Our cooking liquid that allows the starches in the farro to slowly release, thicken, and become creamy.Parmesan. PLEASE grate it right from the block. The green can will not taste the same.Fresh herbs. I went for thyme, but basil, parsley, or a blend would all be tasty.Sugar. To balance out the acidity of the tomatoes. You can omit it if you prefer or if you are making farro risotto with something besides tomatoes.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Leftover farro risotto can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight covered container.To Reheat. Warm the farro risotto in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You may add a few tablespoons of water or broth to the farro, if needed, to rehydrate.
What To Serve With Farro Risotto
This farro would be wonderful served alongside my Baked Chicken Breast. Find out how long to bake chicken breast and other helpful tips.Harvest Salad – salad is super-loaded to satisfy and sustain.Healthy Chicken Recipes – that are sure to keep your weeknight dinners interesting!
A few fun farro facts:
Farro is 100% whole grain.It’s high in fiber, iron, and nutrients, and is a plant-based protein.Farro is nutty, pleasantly chewy, and super-duper tasty.It’s incredibly popular in Italy.You can find farro at any grocery store.There are OODLES of ways to use farro!
The farro brand I recommend is Bob’s Red Mill. I purchase Bob’s because the company prioritizes the quality and nutritional value of its products over quantity and profit, and I consistently have better results with Bob’s products than other brands I’ve tried. If you happen to have a plethora of fresh garden tomatoes, I am so jealous. Here’s how to swap those into the recipe instead:
Use 2 cups of diced tomatoes in place of the cherry tomatoes.To stand in for the canned diced tomatoes, puree fresh tomatoes in a food processor. Measure out a scant 2 cups, then use in the recipe as directed.
