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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Farro Fried Rice

    Published: February 5, 2016 / Updated: March 23, 2020 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Farro Fried Rice

    164 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you love fried rice, but are looking for a healthier twist, try this Farro Fried Rice dish. The slightly nutty flavor of farro combines with classic veggies of corn, carrots, and peas, for a hearty, delicious Lunar New Year dish...or it's perfect for any dinner as well!

    Farro Fried Rice Lunar New Year recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    The Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year as some people call it, is coming up! Looking for a great Chinese food recipe that has a bit of a twist? My Farro Fried Rice recipe is just the thing!

    Have you cooked with farro?

    I've been obsessed with farro for a couple of years now. I am always so excited when it's served at a restaurant. But for some reason, I haven't really cooked with it at home...until now. I've cooked a few different dishes with farro now and can't believe I waited so long to cook with it at home!

    What is farro?

    Farro is an ancient grain that is soft, chewy, and satisfying. It looks a little like wheat berries.

    It's heartier than quinoa and packed with more cholesterol-lowering fiber than rice. Farro has an absolutely delicious texture and slightly nutty flavor. It's also packed with vitamin B, zinc, iron, and more heart-healthy nutrients.

    How do you cook with farro?

    Farro Fried Rice Lunar New Year recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    I think farro is especially delicious in salads, but you can also use it for risotto dishes, soups, or, as I used it here, as a substitute for rice in recipes!

    Italians have been cooking with farro for centuries. It is said to have been found in the tombs of Egyptian Kings! So, when you make this recipe, you can say you've made a dish fit for a king! ;)

    Tips for buying farro

    My favorite farro to cook with is Village Harvest Italian Pearl Farro. It's about $5 per package at my local grocery store, and lasts a long time. The Italian Perlato (or Italian Pearl) farro is the easiest, in my opinion, to cook with because it doesn't need to soak overnight; if you buy whole grain farro, you'll need to soak those puppies overnight. I also just ADORE the taste of the Village Harvest Italian Pearl Farro.

    How to make farro fried rice

    Farro Fried Rice Lunar New Year recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Growing up, my Filipino great-grandmother and my mother would cook different variations of Filipino fried rice. This recipe is akin to the more traditional, Americanized version of Chinese Fried Rice, but you can certainly adapt the ingredients to include your own favorite vegetables and meat. It can also easily be made as a vegetarian dish!

    I start with a base of garlic, ginger, onions, corn, peas, and carrots in one large skillet, while I have the farro cooking in a separate pot. Once the farro is done cooking according to the package directions, you simply add it to the vegetable mixture and you're done!

    Farro Fried Rice Lunar New Year recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

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    farro fried rice with shrimp.

    Farro "Fried Rice"

    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 40 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    This farro "fried rice" is a healthier, but stilly hearty version of your favorite Chinese fried rice!
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 457kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup uncooked farro which turns into 3 cups of cooked farro; Village Harvest Italian Pearled is my favorite variety
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 cup finely chopped onions
    • 2 garlic cloved minced
    • ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger or ¼ teasoon ground ginger, but it's not going to be the same, folks!
    • 1 cup peeled cubed carrots
    • 1 cup peas
    • 1 cup corn
    • ½ cup soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1½ cups shrimp or chicken breast or pork loin that is cut into very small pieces

    Instructions

    • Cook farro according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Stir with a wooden spoon and sauté for one minute.
    • Add the carrots, peas, and corn to the skillet, and stir well. Sauté all of the pretty veggies, stirring occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes.
    • Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil.
    • Add your meat (shrimp, chicken, or pork) to the skillet and cook for 4-8 minutes, until the meat is fully cooked. I usually use cooked frozen shrimp that has been thawed, which takes about 5 minutes in the skillet. If you are using uncooked small pieces of of chicken breast or pork loin, you'll probably need to cook them for about 5-8 minutes.
    • Once the meat is cooked, add the cooked farro. Stir and cook for another minute or two, so that the farro soaks up all of the delicious flavors in the skillet.
    • Serve immediately.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1820mg | Potassium: 786mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 4mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.


    Do you like farro dishes? Have you cooked with it at home or enjoyed a farro dish at a restaurant? If so, what was the dish? 

    Farro Fried Rice Lunar New Year recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Lesley says

        December 05, 2019 at 7:30 pm

        5 stars
        Quick, easy, and YUM

        Reply
      2. Raz says

        February 08, 2016 at 1:59 pm

        I love Fried so much!!! Your Farro Fried looks delicious and amazing!!!. :)

        Reply
      3. Becky @ Project Domestication says

        February 08, 2016 at 12:03 pm

        Cool spin on the traditional fried rice dish.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          February 08, 2016 at 1:00 pm

          Thanks so much, Becky!

      4. Erin says

        February 08, 2016 at 11:53 am

        Oh! What a fun twist on fried rice! Do you think you need to dry out the farro like with fried rice? Or does that matter because of the texture of the farro anyhow?

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          February 08, 2016 at 1:41 pm

          Thanks, Erin! The farro doesn't need to be dried out. I actually don't dry out rice either when I make fried rice but that's because my family has never done that and that's the texture I prefer and am used to. The farro definitely doesn't need it though.

      5. Denay DeGuzman says

        February 08, 2016 at 11:39 am

        I love this healthy twist on a beloved favorite! I've never tried substituting rice for farro, but from your photos it looks like this substitution a complete winner. I also love shrimp, so this is a recipe that's absolutely perfect for me. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          February 08, 2016 at 1:42 pm

          Thank you, Denay!

      6. Erica@ Erica Everyday says

        February 06, 2016 at 11:44 am

        I LOVE farro!! I've introduced it to so many people last year and so happy to hear you love it too! What a great dish. Cheers!

        Reply
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      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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