Farro And Leek Pilaf Recipes

FARRO PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse farro under cold water and drain.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add farro and orzo and cook until lightly browned and nutty smelling, about 6 minutes.
• Add broth & carrots.
• Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a low simmer for 30-35 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and farro is tender.
• Remove from the heat and cover. Rest 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and stir in almonds, parsley, and salt.

HERBED FARRO PILAF

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, just until it turns golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in the farro and shallots and continue to cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Stir in the chicken stock and salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer until the farro is very tender, about 35 minutes. Check the farro towards the end of cooking and add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if the pan dries out before the farro is tender.
• Top with the parsley and thyme, fluff with a fork and serve.

FARRO PILAF

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped small onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes; season with kosher salt and pepper. Stir in 1 cup farro and 1/4 cup golden raisins; add 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the water is absorbed, 35 minutes. Stir and top with chopped salted pistachios and parsley.

FARRO PILAF WITH BALSAMIC CHERRIES

Steps:

• Pit the cherries and cut in half.
• Heat a medium or large heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. When the foam subsides, add the cherries and sauté for 1 minute. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir until it evaporates, which should take no more than 1 minute. Transfer the cherries immediately to a bowl so that they don't overcook or overcaramelize. Set aside.
• To cook the farro, place in a bowl or saucepan and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, then drain. Return to the pot and add 1 quart water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, until the wheat berries have begun to splay. Drain through a strainer and return the farro to the pot. Place a towel across the top of the saucepan and return the lid. Let sit for 10 minutes.
• Uncover the farro and stir in the thyme, butter and cherries. Add pepper to taste, and serve.

FARRO AND LEEK PILAF

Steps:

• Boil farro in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 20 minute.
• While farro is cooking, remove roots and dark green portion of leeks. Cut remainder in half lengthwise and wash segments. Cut into 1 inch lengths, then lengthwise into ¼ inch slivers.
• Slice bacon into ½ inch pieces and saute over medium heat in a large saucepan until most of the fat is rendered. Remove all but 1 T. of fat and add 3 T. olive oil and leeks.
• Cook leeks and bacon over medium heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until leeks are tender. Add chickpeas and heat briefly.
• When farro is done, drain and add to leek mixture. Toss to mix, with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with grated cheese, if you like.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND FARRO WITH CARAMELIZED LEEKS

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper, and set aside while preparing the leeks.
• Trim roots from leeks, then cut away any wilted, yellowing or browned parts from the greens. Slice leeks in half lengthwise. Wash well under cold running water to remove any soil, then shake dry. Thinly slice the leeks (including the greens) into half-moons. You should have about 6 cups. Measure out about 2 tablespoons of sliced leek whites and set them aside for garnish.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. When the oil thins and coats the bottom of the pan, add half the chicken and cook until browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet and stir in the leeks and a pinch of salt. Sauté until tender and golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in spices, thyme and tomato paste, and cook until tomato paste darkens and caramelizes, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour in chicken stock and bring to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Stir in farro and 1 teaspoon salt. When the liquid comes to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and nestle in the browned chicken, skin-side up; pour in any juices from the plate. Cover pan and let cook until the farro is tender and the chicken is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss together the reserved leek whites, chopped tomatoes and parsley. Season to taste with salt, pepper and an acid like lemon or lime juice or vinegar. The mixture should taste tangy and bright.
• Discard the thyme sprigs, and serve chicken and farro topped with some of the tomato mixture.

HERBED FARRO PILAF

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, just until it turns golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in the farro and shallots and continue to cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Stir in the chicken stock and salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer until the farro is very tender, about 35 minutes. Check the farro towards the end of cooking and add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if the pan dries out before the farro is tender.
• Top with the parsley and thyme, fluff with a fork and serve.

CREAMY FARRO WITH CRISPY MUSHROOMS AND SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the leeks and half the mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and crisped, 12 to 15 minutes. (They will start giving off moisture and steaming a little before this happens, so be patient.)
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a medium bowl leaving any olive oil behind. (They will have absorbed the oil as they cook, and released it back as they crisp.) Add a bit more olive oil so there's another 1/4 cup or so in the pot. Cook the remaining leeks and mushrooms, adding them to the bowl with the other mushrooms.
• Without wiping the pot, add farro and season with salt and pepper. Cook over that same medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until farro is toasted on the outside (it will go from pale golden brown to a toastier golden brown), about 5 minutes. Add vegetable broth and 2 cups water; season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a strong simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until farro is fully cooked and most (but not all) of the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. It should still look a bit loose, like risotto or a porridge. Remove from heat and add half the chives.
• Toss dill, remaining chives and lemon zest together in a small bowl. To serve, season farro with salt and pepper and ladle into bowls. Top with sour cream, mushrooms and leeks, and dill mixture. Serve lemon wedges alongside for squeezing.

FARRO WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Place the farro in a bowl, and pour on enough hot water to cover by an inch. Let soak while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Drain.
• Place the dried mushrooms in a large Pyrex measuring cup or bowl, and pour in 2 cups boiling water. Let sit 30 minutes.
• Drain the mushrooms through a strainer set over a bowl and lined with cheesecloth or a paper towel. Squeeze the mushrooms over the strainer, then rinse in several changes of water to remove grit. Chop coarsely if the pieces are large and set aside. Add the broth from the mushrooms to the stock. You should have 6 cups (add water if necessary). Place in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Season with salt to taste.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about three minutes. Add the fresh mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until they begin to soften and sweat. Add salt to taste, the garlic and rosemary. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are tender, about five minutes. Add the farro and reconstituted dried mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until the grains of farro are separate and beginning to crackle, about two minutes. Stir in the wine and cook, stirring until the wine has been absorbed. Add all but about 1 cup of the stock, and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 50 minutes or until the farro is tender; some of the grains will be beginning to splay. Remove the lid, and stir vigorously from time to time. Taste and adjust seasoning. There should be some liquid remaining in the pot but not too much. If the farro is submerged in stock, raise the heat and cook until there is just enough to moisten the grains, like a sauce. If there is not, stir in the remaining stock. If not serving right away, cover and let stand. Just before serving, bring back to a simmer, add the Parmesan, parsley and pepper, and stir together. Remove from the heat and serve.

CREAMY FARRO PILAF WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add farro, stirring until toasted, 1 minute. Add wine and reduce by half. Add stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until farro is tender and creamy, 35 to 40 minutes. Season with salt and cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss mushrooms with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and red-pepper flakes. Roast, stirring once, until crisp and golden, 20 to 22 minutes.
• Warm farro over medium heat and add spinach, stirring until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms and Parmesan. Top with additional Parmesan.

FARRO SALAD WITH LEEKS, CHICKPEAS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Using a large rimmed baking sheet, toss leeks with 1/4 cup oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread leeks out in a single layer (use a second baking sheet if necessary) and roast, tossing frequently, until golden brown and crisp at the edges, about 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, toss leeks with chickpeas, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, chile flakes and garlic. Stir in 2/3 cup oil. Let marinate while you prepare the farro.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook farro until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well. Toss with chickpea mixture. Stir in currants and celery leaf. Taste and add more salt or lemon if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.