Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto Recipe

Gina Matsoukas | Running to the Kitchen

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto is the hearty supper you need to put on your meal plan for this week. It starts easy, with Boulder Organic Foods.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Boulder Organic Foods. All opinions are the contributor's own. She was provided with ingredients and compensated for recipe development.

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto Photo

In 2012, my mom and I went on a Tuscan food based tour of Italy. Having been to Italy a handful of times before and always going from big city to big city, I was psyched for a more localized trip outside of the tourist trap places centered around my favorite hobby: eating.

From a small, family-run balsamic vinegar company in Modena where we tasted 100 year aged balsamic, to eating some of the most amazing prosciutto and cured meats in a local man’s dining room, to sipping Asti Spumante and nibbling on freshly made warm turrón straight out of the mixer, it was one of the best 10 days of my life.

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto Picture

And just when we thought there couldn’t possibly be more deliciousness, we pulled into a small rice farm on our last day for a tour of the property and a home-cooked risotto meal on picnic tables outside.

Risotto has a special place in my heart. It’s the meal my mom made on special occasions growing up (always with dried porcini mushrooms and sweet sausage) and if anything can trump pasta as my comfort food of choice, it’s a hearty bowl of my mom’s risotto.

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto Image

It seemed to make an appearance on many New Year’s Days over the years and with 2017 fresh and new, it’s immediately what I thought of when thinking up ways to incorporate Boulder Organic’s Tuscan White Bean Soup into a hearty, warm and comforting winter recipe. Stealing elements from that risotto lunch in Tuscany and my mom’s traditional recipe, this Tuscan white bean farro risotto was born.

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto Pic

Boulder Organic soups are all made in small batches, certified organic, gluten-free and always fresh.

By itself, this is one of my favorites of their soups. It’s already warm, comforting and full of flavor.

Completely delicious with some crusty bread, a big bowl, and your favorite sweat pants - but, might I say, even better when used to make Tuscan white bean farro risotto.

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto 1

The two things I love about risotto are the chew factor of good quality rice (carnaroli is the best kind, don’t be fooled by Arborio!) and the meshing of deep flavors as the dish builds.

This farro risotto expands on both of those.

Using farro as the grain instead of rice, you get an even more pronounced chew (like in this blueberry farro yogurt bowl – one of my favorite healthy breakfasts this time of year) to each bite which I love and using the Tuscan white bean soup for the cooking liquid instead of just chicken broth like you’d normally do, you get a much deeper flavor profile in the finished product.

Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto 2

And of course, since it’s the New Year, I used chicken sausage to keep things light and added some garlicky kale greens on top for some veggie power. Mangia, my friends!

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Tuscan White Bean Farro Risotto Recipe

    4 Servings

Ingredients

For the Risotto:
  • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, (or pork sausage) removed from the casing
  • 3/4 cup Farro
  • 1/2 cup Dry White Wine
  • 24 ounces Boulder Organic Tuscan White Bean Soup
  • 1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
  • Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese, for garnish
For the Garlicky Greens:
  • 1/2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 cups Torn Tuscan Kale Leaves

Directions

  1. Combine the soup and chicken broth in a medium sauce pot over low heat.
  2. Add the olive oil to a large sauce pot over medium heat.
  3. Once hot, add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the sausage to the pot, breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula until browned.
  5. Add the farro and cook 1 minutes until slightly toasted.
  6. Add the wine, stir and cook an additional 3 minutes.
  7. Ladle about 1/2 cup of the soup and chicken broth mixture into the pot with the farro, just enough to cover the top of the farro mixture. Stir and cook until liquid starts to become absorbed by the farro. Repeat this process until all the soup mixture is gone and the farro is cooked al dente, about 35 minutes.
  8. While the risotto cooks, make the garlicky greens by heating the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
  9. Once hot, add the garlic, cook 30 seconds then add the kale. Stir and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
  10. Serve risotto topped with garlicky greens and parmesan cheese.

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Published:
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Cooking Method:
Simmered
Cuisine:
Italian
Category:
Dinners
Tags:
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Related Recipes:
Easy Dinner Recipes, Dinner Recipes, Italian Recipes, Soup Recipes, Farro Recipes, Bean Recipes, Sausage Recipes, Kale Recipes, Simmered Recipes, Healthy Comfort Food Recipes, Comfort Food Recipes
Recipe Yields:
4 servings
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Gina Matsoukas
Recipe Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 39
Calories 202

% Daily Value*
8%
Total Fat 5g
2%
  Saturated Fat 0g
14%
Sodium 339mg
9%
Total Carbohydrate 26g
3%
  Dietary Fiber 3g
  Sugars 0g
11%
Protein 6g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Gina Matsoukas

About Gina

We love the spirit you find on Gina's blog, Running to the Kitchen. Fun, fresh, seasonal, and whole food ingredients - gotta love that! She's having fun experimenting with us as our Paleo Dessert fanatic!

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