Did you know farro, or emmer wheat, is the oldest cultivated grain in the world? Eaten for more than 5,000 years and the grain of the Roman Empire, it is too bad it was replaced by its distant cousin, wheat.
Did you know farro, or emmer wheat, is the oldest cultivated grain in the world? Eaten for more than 5,000 years and the grain of the Roman Empire, it is too bad it was replaced by its distant cousin, wheat. It is still a popular grain in Italy, areas in Europe and the Middle East.
Farro grows in poor soil, is resistant to fungus, but it has low yields. In the world of business, when replaced with high yielding wheat, it is no wonder we don’t see much of farro!
Farro is not a wheat, but a plant and grain all one its own. It is not gluten-free but lower in gluten than wheat. The complex carbohydrates as rich in cyanogenic glucosides, which helpts stimulate innume system, regulate blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol. It takes longer to digest farro so you stay full longer and helps lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
Besides the antioxidants, phytonutrients, lignans, and betaine, 1/2 cup of raw farro is 170 calories, has 1.5 grams fat, 34 mg carbohydrates, 5 grams of dietary fiber, 2 mg iron, 6 grams protein, 4 mg niacin, 60 mg of magnesium, and 2 mg zinc.
Soak farro in water to soften overnight before cooking (unless you can get the semipearled version) and when cooking use twice as much water as farro. Simmer for 30 minutes until all the water is absorbed.
My most recent issue of Cooking Light, June 2104, featured a summer salad, Farro, Cherry and Walnut Salad.
Farro, Cherry, and Walnut Salad
Cooking Light Magazine
June 2014, Page 98
Bring 5 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add to boiling water, cook 15 minutes or until al dente:
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pearled farro ( again, if using regular farro, I recommend you soak it in water overnight)
Drain, cool at room temperature, 15 minutes. Combine in a large bowl:
3/4 pound sweet cherries, pitted and halved, about 2 cups
2/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Combine in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Gradually add, stirring constantly with a whisk:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Pour dressing over farro mixture, toss to coat.
If you have kale, this salad with farro is a great summer supper.
Kale and Farro Salad
Combine in a salad bowl, toss:
1/2 bunch kale, de-stemmed and torn into small pieces
1/2 cup cooked farro
3 carrots, shredded
1 small fennel bulb, sliced thinly
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
In a blender, combine and puree until smooth:
2 large green onions, rinsed and chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 slices avocado
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon mustard
While motor is running, slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Farro makes a great replacement for Arborio rice when making risotto.
Farro Risotto
Serves 4-6
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut into 1/2 inch cubes:
2-1/2 cups pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled
Sprinkle with:
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until the edges are browned and crisp. Remove from oven and sprinkle while still hot with:
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sage, chopped
Meanwhile, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in and cook for 15 minutes
1 cup pearled or semi pearled faro (If you use the regular farro, soak overnight before cooking)
Drain, reserving l cup of cooking liquid, set aside.
I a 4 quart pan, heat over medium heat:
1 tablespoon olive oil
Add:
2 cups Hamakua mushrooms, chopped
Saute for about 3 minutes, remove from pan, set aside.
In the same pan that you cooked the mushrooms, over medium heat, add:
3 tablespoons butter
4 shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 sprig thyme
Cook until shallots are slightly caramelized, 3 minutes. Add the cooked farro, stir to coat with butter.
Add and let simmer:
1/2 cup dry white wine
Turn heat to low, alternately add in 1/4 cup at a time, stirring constantly with each addition, not adding more liquid until the previous 1/4 cup has been completely absorbed, 30 minutes:
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup cooking liquid from cooking farro
Add sautéed mushrooms and roasted pumpkin or squash.
Fold in and stir until melted:
1-1/2 cups Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
Fold in:
1 tablespoon crème fraiche*
*Crème fraiche is sour cream and to make your own simply mix 1 pint heavy whipping cream and 2 tablespoons of cultured buttermilk together. Allow to rest at room temperature for 12 hours, then refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Small Bites:
The semipearled version is called “semiperlato” in Italy takes less time to cook because some of the bran has been removed.
Please feel free to email me at wilson.audrey@hawaiiantel.net if you have questions.
