Step into the world of wholesome comfort with my Spicy Farro Risotto, a one-pot delight that introduces the rich, nutty essence of farro to the classic risotto experience. This dish is a heartwarming symphony of flavours and textures, offering a spicy twist that will tantalize your taste buds.
Farro holds a special place in my kitchen for its satisfying texture and robust flavour, proving to be a versatile champion in both risottos and salads. Rich in protein and fibre, farro offers a splendid alternative to conventional grains, making this risotto a wholesome choice. With a jar of farro always at the ready in my pantry, it's my go-to for injecting a touch of wholesome indulgence into meals. Let's embrace the comforting and spicy goodness of this farro risotto together!
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Calories in Spicy Farro Risotto
These Spicy Farro Risott serves 4 and is 310 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 300+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
Ingredients Needed
To make this spicy farro risotto you will need the following ingredients:
- Farro - this is a nutty grain that is rich in protein and fibre.
- Low Calorie Spray - Use your preferred choice of low calorie spray, I prefer olive oil or avocado sprays without any added emulsifiers.
- Onion: just a regular white onions
- Garlic: For convenience, I opt for jarred minced garlic. If you prefer fresh garlic, note that 1 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic is equivalent to 1 clove of fresh garlic.
- Carrot: just regular carrots
- Bell Peppers: both green and red for added vegetables and colour.
- Vegetable stock: It's essential to use the correct ratio of stock cubes to water, as not all stock cubes are identical. Using too few can lead to a bland, watery broth, while too many may create a stock that's overly salty
- Tomato Paste (Puree): a concentrated paste that comes in a tube or small can
- Spices: a mixture of paprika, ground cumin, chilli powder, oregano, cayenne all add a delicious blend of spices to the recipe.
- Sweetcorn: I use frozen, but canned is fine to use also, just make sure you drain any liquid.
- Sultanas: offer a subtle sweetness that beautifully complements the farro's nutty flavour. They not only add a delightful contrast to the dish's savory elements but also introduce a pleasant texture variation.
- Salt and Pepper - These basic yet essential flavour enhancers are key for elevating the taste of your dishes. No food will ever be bland when these are used to season to taste.
- Fresh Coriander: This herb adds a burst of citrusy, fresh flavor to the soup. Unlike dried coriander, fresh leaves bring a vibrant and aromatic touch that enhances the dish's overall freshness.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
How to Cook Farro
Usually, to cook farro, you rinse the grain thoroughly and then use a ratio of 3:1 for liquid.
So for example, if you were cooking 1 cup of farro you would require 3 cups of liquid (water or stock) and cook for 30 minutes, draining off excess liquid.
But as we are cooking the farro with other ingredients in this Spicy Farro Risotto and we want to keep all the flavour which we would remove if we drained any liquid.
So I find 5 cups of stock to the 2 cups of farro to be enough liquid. 6 cups would just overcook the farro in this recipe and make it too wet.
Where to Buy Farro
In Canada, I often opt for Bob Mills as my go-to brand for farro, though I'm aware it might not be as readily available in the UK. Don't worry; there are plenty of other brands to choose from, depending on what's accessible in your area.
To get your hands on some farro, start by exploring your local wholefoods or health food stores. They typically stock a variety of grains and are likely to have farro on their shelves. If you prefer the convenience of online shopping, numerous websites offer farro - just ensure they deliver to your location. Whether you're shopping in-store or online, you'll find that farro's versatility makes it a worthy addition to your pantry.
Substitutes for Farro
Farro is quite flexible in recipes, allowing for a range of substitutions based on what you have on hand or your dietary needs:
- Spelt: Offers a similar chewy texture and nutty flavour, making it a great substitute.
- Wheat Berries: They provide a delightful crunch and are an excellent stand-in for farro.
- Kamut: Known for its rich, buttery flavour, Kamut can replace farro for a different taste profile.
For those who are gluten-free, consider:
- Brown Rice: Opt for standard brown rice to maintain a similar cooking time and texture. It's a good alternative, offering a chewy bite, though it lacks farro's nuttiness.
Remember, avoid instant or white rice as substitutes; they don't provide the same texture or nutritional value and have different cooking times. When substituting, begin with less liquid than the recipe calls for farro. You can always add more as needed to achieve the desired consistency. This approach helps you avoid a dish that's too watery or overcooked.
What to serve with this Spicy Farro Risotto
Accompanying the Spicy Farro Risotto with chopped tomatoes, spring onions, and coriander (cilantro) adds a fresh, vibrant touch to the dish. However, there's a wealth of topping and side options to further customize your meal:
- Avocado: Adds a creamy texture and rich flavour.
- Cheese: Cheddar or your preferred cheese can introduce a melty, indulgent element.
- Sour Cream or Plain Yoghurt: Offers a cooling contrast to the risotto's spice.
- Crisp Shredded Lettuce: Provides a crunchy, refreshing component.
- Black Beans: Boost the protein content and add a hearty aspect.
- Refried Beans: Introduce a creamy, savoury layer to the dish.
- Salsa: A tangy, zesty option that complements the risotto's spices well.
Feel free to explore and mix and match these additions based on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Whether you opt for a simple garnish or a full array of sides, these accompaniments are sure to enhance your Spicy Farro Risotto experience.
More Risotto Recipes
Love risotto recipes? Check out these other recipes:
- Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
- Fennel and Sweet Onion Risotto
- Chicken, Red Pepper and Sweetcorn Risotto
- Mushroom Risotto
- Spicy Prawn and Vegetable Risotto
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Tomato Risotto
or if you would like more recipe ideas or sides to make with this recipe - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Spicy Farro Risotto
No, farro is not gluten-free. It is a type of wheat and contains gluten, so it's not suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. If you need a gluten-free alternative, brown rice is a great substitute in this recipe, offering a similar texture and cooking time.
Absolutely! To make this risotto vegan, simply omit any cheese as a side or replace it with a vegan alternative. Also, ensure any broth used is vegetable-based.
Freezing Spicy Farro Risotto is not recommended. Farro, like other grains, can lose the delightful chewy texture that makes this dish special. If you have leftovers, it's best to store them in the refrigerator and consume within a few days for the best quality. When reheating, you may need to add a little extra stock or water to help the risotto regain its creamy consistency.
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Recipe Card
Spicy Farro Risotto
Spicy Farro Risotto, a wholesome one-pot meal where nutty farro meets vibrant spices, creating a hearty and flavourful vegetarian delight.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) of farro (uncooked)
- low calorie spray oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, finely chopped
- 3 clove of garlic, crushed
- ½ red pepper, diced
- ½ green pepper, diced
- 2.5 cups (600ml) of vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons of tomato puree (paste)
- 1 tablespoons of paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of mild chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
- ½ teaspoon of cayenne (use more if you like really spicy)
- ½ cup (85g) of frozen sweetcorn
- 30g (1oz) of sultanas
- salt and black pepper
- handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse farro thoroughly, set aside.
- Spray a deep frying pan with cooking oil spray and saute the onion, garlic and carrot till onion is translucent.
- Add the peppers and fry for a couple more minutes.
- Add in all the spices, tomato paste, sultanas, corn, farro and stir to coat in all the seasonings.
- Pour in the stock.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove lid and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes (or slightly more if needed) until the farro is cooked and is just loosely covered in stock (similar to regular risotto).
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro (coriander).
- Serve as is or with your choice of toppings.
- Enjoy!!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly
- Dairy Free Friendly
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Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 310Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 683mgCarbohydrates 64gFiber 11gSugar 16gProtein 12g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Karen Sanger says
Really enjoyed this!!
Cathy Hollingsworth says
This was delicious... I'm on a journey of finding plant based recipes and this one was delicious, my husband loved it but I didn't use the oregano ..I also used dried cranberries. Thank you for this recipe...
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
love the additional of cranberries - sounds like it would work well. I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed this.
McKinsey says
Bought some farro at the store the other day and will be my first time cooking it! I always order it at my favorite Italian restaurant. So excited to try this recipe!! Thank you for all of your healthy alternatives!