FARRO RISOTTO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND KALE

 

HANDS-ON TIME 15 mins

COOK TIME 65 mins

TOTAL TIME 1 hour 20 mins 

Author: Coffee & Quinoa

Yields: 4 as an entree

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbsp vegan butter, divided (I used Earth Balance)
• 1 medium butternut squash, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
• large bunch of kale (I used curly), stems removed, leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
• 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups pearled farro (can use regular farro but cooking time will double)
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 3 large or 4 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups vegetable stock, warmed (you may use slightly more or less depending on cooking time)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. First, roast the squash. (You can do this step ahead of time and keep roasted squash in the fridge.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a foil-lined baking sheet, toss the cubed butternut squash with 1 Tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast about 35 minutes, until squash is tender, stirring 2-3 times in the process to cook evenly.
2. Next, toast the farro. Heat remaining olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add farro and toss to coat. Toast the farro about 1-2 minutes in the pan (you will hear it start to sizzle), then transfer to the oven (still at 375) to finish toasting for about 6 more minutes. Stir once after 3 minutes. The farro won’t look toasted, but it will start to smell a bit toasted and will be sizzling. Remove the farro to a bowl and wipe out your skillet.
3. Now we’ll actually cook the risotto. In the same skillet, melt 2 Tbsp vegan butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook about 2 minutes more. Now add 1/2 cup of the wine and increase heat to high to deglaze the pan. Stir once or twice, reduce heat to medium, and let simmer until the wine is almost evaporated, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add farro and about 1/2 cup of vegetable stock to the skillet. Stir and let simmer until almost all liquid is absorbed. Continue doing this, alternating veg stock with the rest of the white wine, until your farro is tender, about 20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook your kale by sauteing with a small amount of water, tossing continuously, until bright green, about 30 seconds. Run under cold water until cool, then set aside.
6. Once farro is tender, stir in remaining Tbsp vegan butter, squash, and kale. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot!

NOTES Adapted from Bon Appetit magazine via http://iheartyum.com/main-course/farro-risotto-with-butternut-squash-and-kale/