Happy fall! Is it cold yet where you are? It’s still hot here in Los Angeles, so I decided to try and will fall my way by breaking out one of my favorite fall recipes. If you build it, they will come, that’s how the saying goes, right? Today I’m sharing a delicious Farro Risotto with Mushrooms from the cookbook Eat a Little Better by Sam Kass.
About This Farro Risotto
Don’t let the word “risotto” freak you out. This farro risotto recipe is relatively easy and not totally like a traditional risotto where you have to be a slave mixing over your stove. The whole thing takes about 45 minutes, making this a great weeknight fall recipe.
I’m not usually a mushroom fan but I’ve found in the past year or so that I love oyster and chanterelle mushrooms. Depending on what’s available, I’ll use one of those or even hen-of-the-woods mushrooms.
About This Cookbook
I love Eat a Little Better by Sam Kass. He starts many of his chapters with basic, simple standalone recipes (think basic roasted chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, etc). He calls these blueprints. Then, he’ll include a few jazzed-up versions of the blueprint recipes. Often times he’ll list a blueprint recipe and then include 4 variations for spring, summer, winter, and fall. It’s a really fun cookbook that utilizes basics and then gives ideas to spice things up. To buy Sam Kass’ cookbook, click here.
This recipe utilizes his blueprint for Basic Farro Risotto, elevated with seasonal mushrooms and crème fraiche for a creamy, warm fall meal.
Bookmark this post, or pin the graphic below so you can easily access this recipe whenever you want to make it!
Weeknight Mushroom Farro Risotto
Fall Mushroom Farro Risotto
Ingredients
For the Farro Risotto
- 6-8 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups whole-grain or semi-pearled farro
- ½ cup dry white wine
Everything Else
- 1 lb assorted mushrooms, trimmed of tough stems and cut into small bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- Big handful of grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup creme fraiche
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives or scallions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- On a baking sheet, coat the mushrooms in the oil and season with salt. Spread them in a single layer and roast until browned at the edges and tender, about 20-30 minutes.
- While the mushrooms are roasting, bring the stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and keep it at a bare simmer.
- Melt the butter in a medium heavy pot over medium heat until it froths. Stir in the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Add the farro and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Stir in the wine, and simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes.
- Add about 4 cups of your stock and cook, stirring frequently until the stock is almost entirely absorbed. Add more stock one cup at a time and stir frequently until the farro is tender (about 25 minutes for semi-pearled and about 45 minutes for whole-grain).
- Stir in the mushrooms and let simmer for about 1 minute. If you'd like the farro risotto to be saucier, add in some more stock or hot water. Remove from heat, then stir in the Parmesan cheese and creme fraiche. Season with salt to taste and a splash of olive oil. Garnish with chives or scallions. Serve and enjoy immediately.
