When I was young one of my favorite side dishes was rice pilaf. It came in a slim box with a portion of rice and a sachet of spices, dehydrated chicken stock – and goodness knows what else – all set to prepare with water on the stovetop. The results were addictive and exotically flavored. My brothers and I would fight over who got to finish the bowl on the dinner table; one box was never enough.
These days I make pilaf from scratch – and you probably do, too, without realizing it. The principle behind pilaf is that rice, or another grain such as bulgur, is sautéed then steamed in a flavorful broth, along with a few aromatics such as onion, garlic and spices. When it’s ready to serve, the rice is fluffed to separate the grains, and fresh herbs may be added for flavor and adornment. So before you reach for a box of pilaf in the supermarket with a long list of ingredients, remember that it’s really quite easy – and much cheaper – to make your own from scratch.
Farro Pilaf
This recipe replaces rice with farro, and includes toasted almonds, lemon, mint and parsley. It makes a hefty pilaf, which is nutty, fresh and packed with protein and nutrients. Depending on how salty your stock is, adjust the amount of salt to taste. Serves 6 as a side dish.
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 large shallot, finely chopped, about 1/4 cup
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 cups farro
2 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted almonds (or pinenuts)
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup Italian parsley leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallot and garlic and sauté until shallot begins to soften, 2 minutes. Add farro and stir to coat the grains. Carefully add the stock (it will bubbly vigorously), salt, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until the farro is tender but chewy and liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Transfer farro to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, almonds and lemon zest and stir to combine. Cool slightly. Before serving mix in parsley and mint. Serve warm or at room temperature.
If you like this, you might enjoy these recipes from TasteFood:
Chicken and Farro Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Fregola Sarda with Asparagus and Lemon
I have a bag of farro that I have yet to open – your pilaf sounds perfect. I’ve never cooked with it.
ah, the boxed pilaf! One of the first things I fell in love with when I was 26 years old and came to the US for the first time…
I still have a soft spot for those, and confess to giving in and buying every once in a blue moon… 😉
Farro pilaf is a fantastic dish… grown up, sophisticated, healthy, it has it all!
Lovely recipe. I use stock to make Chinese congee – rice porridge – it adds such depth of flavour! This is such a lovely summer recipe dish, thanks!
Farro is my favorite grain. I love your pilaf and those flavors are so delicious hot or even cold from the fridge. Beautiful photo! How’s the new house?
Settling in – please stop by if you are in the area!
We love faro at our house and I love what you’ve done with it here! Your photo has delicious written all over it! This goes into my recipe file, with thanks! 🙂
I love pilaf too but I’ve never had farro. The almonds are a great addition.
Looks gorgeous. I have not cooked with farro, that is terrible! I will see if i can find some.. but i do do something similar with rice.. delicious.. c
No worries if you can’t find farro. This is good with rice, too!
Hi Lynda, I like that you’ve used a different grain in this recipe… I would love to try it with barley or buckwheat even. And as for the packet stuff, I think sometimes even though it may be cheaper, it’s what’s in those boxes that worries me (additives, etc). Much tastier and more satisfying to make at home.
You are so right about the additives.
A scrumptiously healthy salad! What a wonderful combination of ingredients. I really love farro…
cheers,
Rosa
I order farro when we are in Italy but I have never cooked it a home. Your recipe has me thinking that I must buy some farro. Great sounding pilaf.
I loved that boxed pilaf! Ah, memories. Yours with farro looks divine. I am crazy about farro and we get some amazing farro grown locally here – I’m always looking for more ways to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Have a great weekend!
Beautiful! And I’m in the mood for farro, so this is perfect. I loved that boxed rice pilaf too. I bought it in all kinds of flavors constantly.
So simple, fresh and brilliant….I love it!
I remember those boxes. I found them to be delicious back in the day, but i definitely stray from those aisles in the grocery store now. I ate a lot of farro in Italy and haven’t bought any since we moved back to the States. I think a year is long enough and I should go procure some! I love the addition of parsley and mint!