21 Amazing Ways to Cook Spelt
Votes: 2
Farro is a Mediterranean grain that's especially good in salads, but it's a truly versatile ingredient. Its nutty flavor enriches simple side dishes and hearty main courses.
Ideal spelt
It's easy to fall in love with this dense, nutty wheat grain. But you might be afraid to cook it at home, having heard that it's quite finicky. However, this isn't true. Perhaps the most difficult part is knowing what type of spelt you have. It comes in whole grain, partially hulled (with some bran), and hulled (completely hulled), which isn't always indicated on the packaging. These varieties vary slightly in cooking time and liquid absorption, so it's best to cook spelt like pasta and season it right after you remove it from the pan. Toasting the spelt in a pan before cooking will intensify its nutty flavor.
Ideal spelt
It's impossible not to fall in love with this chewy, healthy side dish with a pleasant nutty flavor, but many hesitate to cook it because of spelt's reputation as a difficult grain. It's actually much simpler! The key is knowing what type of spelt you have and how long to cook it. To ensure perfection, toast the grains first. This will enhance the nutty flavor and make the grain more fluffy. Once the spelt is cooked, season it with oil.
Recipe: Ideal spelt
Salad with spelt, tomatoes and herbs
Make a simple salad with sliced tomatoes, hearty spelt, fresh chives, and Italian parsley for a filling lunch or a starter for a picnic or party.
Recipe: Spelt salad with tomatoes and herbs
Salad with spelt, cucumber, melon and feta
This is a truly summery salad that will have a line forming at the table. Cantaloupe, cucumbers, and fresh mint provide a refreshing base. Sweet cherry tomatoes add vibrant notes (and color!), while spelt adds heartiness and a nutty flavor. Salty feta and a tart red wine vinaigrette balance out the flavors of this simple salad.
Recipe: Spelt salad with cucumbers, melon and feta
Onion soup with spelled
Hearty spelt replaces croutons in this French onion soup-style dish.
Recipe: Spelt and Leek Soup
Spelt pilaf
Combine cooked spelt with raisins, pistachios, and parsley for a healthy side dish that rivals your favorite rice dish.
Recipe: Spelt pilaf
Salad with corn and spelt
Farro can be found in the whole grain section of grocery stores or health food stores (next to quinoa). But if you can't find it, use pearl barley for this simple summer salad.
Recipe: Warm corn and wheat grain salad
Fried "rice" with spelt
Farro (spelt) is an Italian variety of wheat; its grains become soft and delicious when cooked. It's often added to soups and risottos, but in this simple recipe, farro makes a wonderful substitute for rice.
Recipe: Healthy Spelt Fried Rice
Baked Butternut Squash with Spelt
Aina says, "This recipe is from Californian chef Maria Sinsky. The flavors and textures are incredible."
Recipe: Spelt with pumpkin in the oven
Salad with spelt, shrimp and watercress
This salad is very filling, but it doesn't leave you feeling like you've overeaten.
Recipe: Whole wheat salad with shrimp
Baked spelt with cheese and herbs
Farro makes this two-cheese baked dish incredibly filling.
Recipe: Spelt with cheese and herbs in the oven
Spelt Risotto with Fennel
Substituting spelt rice for a hearty and easy risotto.
Recipe: Spelt Risotto with Fennel
Mediterranean Spelt Salad
Farro, an Italian whole grain similar in texture to pearl barley and whole wheat, adds heartiness to Giada's cold, pasta-like Mediterranean salad.
Recipe: Mediterranean Spelt Salad
Pasta with spelt
This recipe is inspired by the classic Jewish dish kasha varnishkes, but replaces the buckwheat with spelt and the bow-tie pasta with orecchiette. Toss the cooked pasta and kasha with a brown butter sauce for a simple, rich flavor.
Recipe: Farro porridge
Spelt, pork and pineapple bowl
This grain bowl makes a delicious lunch or dinner. Sweet pineapple salsa pairs perfectly with grilled pork tenderloin, and tender spelt brings everything together.
Recipe: Spelt, pork and pineapple bowl
We recommend
Spelt salad with greens
Make a whole grain dish: a salad made with dense, nutty farro. It's available in bulk at grocery stores and health food stores, as well as in packaged whole grains.
Recipe: Wholegrain spelt porridge with small pasta
Turkey and Bean Cassoulet
This casserole is incredibly flavorful thanks to the turkey sausage and is also rich in fiber: 15 grams per serving (more than half the recommended daily intake!). Leftovers can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Recipe: Spelt, Bean, and Turkey Cassoulet
Spelt with caramelized vegetables and apples
Enjoy seasonal vegetables and fruits tossed with spelt, salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Recipe: Spelt with caramelized vegetables and apples
Spelt salad with asparagus, tomatoes and ricotta
Spelt is toasted and then cooked until plump and firm. Tossed with asparagus, tomatoes, and a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon.
Recipe: Spelled salad with asparagus, tomatoes and ricotta lettuce
Salad with spelt, pumpkin and kale
For a fall weeknight dinner, pair spelt with kale, roasted butternut squash, grilled chicken, and a mustard-vinegar vinaigrette.
Recipe: Spelt, Butternut Squash, and Kale Salad
Farrotto with crab and peas
Looking for an elegant main course? Cook spelt in lobster broth until tender, then top with Parmesan, crab meat, peas, and lemon zest. Fresh herbs add a pop of color at the end.
Recipe: Spelt with crab and green peas
Spelt salad
What's the secret to Aina's flavorful spelt? She cooks the grain in a mixture of water and apple cider, which adds a subtle sweetness. Once the spelt is tender, pair it with arugula, radishes, Parmesan, pistachios, and mint for a delicious and striking salad.
Recipe: Spelt salad
Recipes with similar ingredients: spelt groats
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