Savory Porcini and Wild Mushroom Farro Risotto
This hearty and nutritious mushroom farro risotto is a delightful twist on traditional risotto, featuring the earthy flavors of dried porcini and fresh wild mushrooms. Loaded with aromatic herbs and finished with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh parsley, this comforting dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a celebratory gathering. Inspired by Martha Rose Shulman's collection of healthful recipes, each serving is rich in nutrients and fiber, making it not only delicious but also a wholesome choice for any meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried porcini mushrooms
1/2 ounce (soaked and chopped)
Vegetable broth
1 quart (used for cooking)
Cracked farro
1 1/2 cups (soaked)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Onion
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
Cremini mushrooms or wild mushrooms
1 pound (cleaned, trimmed, and sliced)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons (chopped)
Dry white wine
1/2 cup (for deglazing)
Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (grated)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the cracked farro in a bowl with hot water, covering it by an inch. Follow the package instructions for soaking time, which may require overnight soaking for certain types.
2
In a separate large bowl, place the dried porcini mushrooms and cover them with 2 cups of boiling water. Allow them to rehydrate for about 30 minutes.
3
After soaking, drain the porcini mushrooms using a strainer lined with a paper towel over a bowl to catch the liquid. Gently squeeze the mushrooms to remove excess water, then rinse them multiple times to eliminate any grit. Chop them coarsely and set aside.
4
Combine the mushroom-soaking broth with vegetable broth in a saucepan, ensuring you have a total of 6 cups of liquid. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and season with salt to taste.
5
In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it softens, about three minutes.
6
Incorporate the fresh sliced cremini mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Cook while stirring until the mushrooms begin to soften and release their moisture, about five minutes. Then add the minced garlic and chopped rosemary, continuing to cook until everything is nicely tender.
7
Add the soaked farro and coarsely chopped dried mushrooms to the skillet. Stir for approximately two minutes, ensuring the farro grains become slightly toasted and fragrant.
8
Introduce the dry white wine, stirring continuously until fully absorbed by the farro.
9
Pour in all but about 1 cup of the prepared broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cover and allow it to gently simmer for about 50 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking. Taste occasionally and adjust seasonings as desired.
10
The risotto should retain some liquid while not being overly soupy. If it appears submerged, increase the heat to allow excess liquid to evaporate. If it looks dry, incorporate any remaining broth until you achieve a creamy consistency.
11
Finally, mix in the grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, along with a few cracks of fresh pepper. Stir well, remove from heat, and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Porcini and Wild Mushroom Farro Risotto?
This dish is a hearty and nutritious twist on traditional risotto, featuring earthy dried porcini and fresh wild mushrooms with cracked farro.
How do you prepare the dried porcini mushrooms?
Cover 1/2 ounce of dried porcini with 2 cups of boiling water and rehydrate for 30 minutes before straining, rinsing, and chopping.
How should the farro be prepared before cooking?
The cracked farro should be soaked in a bowl with hot water, covering it by an inch, following package instructions for the specific soaking time.
What type of broth is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a mixture of vegetable broth and the strained soaking liquid from the porcini mushrooms.
How much total liquid is needed for the risotto?
A total of 6 cups of liquid, combining the mushroom-soaking broth and vegetable broth, is required.
What is the first step in the cooking process after soaking?
The first cooking step is to heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet and sauté finely chopped onion until soft.
When should the garlic and rosemary be added?
Add the minced garlic and chopped rosemary after the fresh cremini mushrooms have begun to soften and release their moisture.
How long do the fresh mushrooms need to cook?
The fresh sliced cremini or wild mushrooms should be cooked for approximately five minutes until they soften.
Why is the farro stirred in the skillet before adding liquid?
The farro is stirred for about two minutes to allow the grains to become slightly toasted and fragrant.
How is the white wine used in this recipe?
A 1/2 cup of dry white wine is added to the skillet and stirred continuously until it is fully absorbed by the farro.
What is the simmer time for the farro?
The farro mixture should be covered and gently simmered for about 50 minutes.
How do you achieve the correct creamy consistency?
The risotto should retain some liquid; if it is too dry, add the remaining broth, and if too submerged, increase heat to evaporate excess liquid.
What final ingredients are added before serving?
Grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and a few cracks of fresh pepper are mixed in just before serving.
Is this mushroom risotto vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses vegetable broth and no meat products.
Who inspired this healthful recipe?
This recipe was inspired by Martha Rose Shulman's collection of healthful recipes.
How many mushrooms are needed for this recipe?
You will need 1/2 ounce of dried porcini and 1 pound of fresh cremini or wild mushrooms.
Is farro high in fiber?
Yes, farro is a grain rich in nutrients and fiber, making this dish a wholesome meal choice.
What type of oil is recommended for sautéing?
Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil are used for sautéing the onion and mushrooms.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
What herbs provide the main aroma?
Fresh rosemary and fresh parsley provide the primary aromatic flavors in this dish.
How do you handle the grit from dried mushrooms?
Strain the soaking liquid through a paper-towel-lined strainer and rinse the mushrooms multiple times to eliminate grit.
Can I use any type of farro?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 1/2 cups of cracked farro.
What kind of mushrooms can I use besides cremini?
You can use any variety of wild mushrooms that are cleaned, trimmed, and sliced.
Should the skillet be covered while simmering?
Yes, the skillet should be covered during the 50-minute simmering period.
How much parsley is required?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
What should the onion preparation be?
The onion should be finely chopped, totaling approximately 1/2 cup.
Does this recipe contain gluten?
Farro is a type of wheat, so this dish contains gluten, despite being labeled with a gluten-free tag in some metadata.
What is the role of salt in this recipe?
Salt is used to season the broth and is added when sautéing mushrooms to help them release moisture.
Can I make this recipe for a party?
Yes, this comforting and savory dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a celebratory gathering.
How do you prepare the garlic?
Two garlic cloves should be minced before being added to the skillet.