Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Butternut Squash Wheatberry Fauxsotto

DSC07833

I won’t call this a risotto because it’s not. It takes much less time than a traditional risotto and doesn’t quite achieve the ability of risotto to “stand-up” when it’s ready. What this is is one of the most flavorful dishes I’ve prepared in a long time and yet it is so incredibly simple it can easily be made on a weeknight when time is minimal.

Butternut Squash Fauxsotto

adapted from Peanut Butter Fingers

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 c wheatberries (mine are from the Whole Foods bulk bins)
  • 3 c broth (I used chicken but use whatever you prefer)
  • 2 c butternut squash, chopped
  • 1 t fresh Thyme, chopped
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, chopped (optional, I used dehydrated onion flakes)
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan Cheese, for topping

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and Thyme until onions soften (if you use dehydrated onions you don’t really need to wait) add wheatberries and cook, stirring often, for just a few minutes.

Turn up heat to medium-high, add 2 c broth and squash. Stir constantly but allow pot to simmer.  The squash will break down and the broth will absorb. After 2 c of broth is absorbed, begin adding a little more broth at a time until it is absorbed. Repeat until last cup of broth has been added. When the fauxsotto has thickened, it is done.

Serve with fresh grated parmesan on top and optionally add sprigs of fresh Thyme for garnish.

Serves 2

DSC07845

6 comments:

  1. Fauxsotto-love it. I dig risotto but never make it at home because of all the time it takes, I have way better things to do than stirring and all that crap. This seems very doable though and I've never cooked with wheatberries so that would be something new for me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Totally agree... I'd much rather be watching Vampire Diaries or some other mindless TV show. We girls have lives! Wheatberries are good but are VERY different (texture-wise) than rice. They are chewy but I like it, makes a small portion go a long way.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've made a similar dish using bulgur. I've never had wheatberries, but I want to try them because I'm a little burnt out on brown rice right now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. that looks super tasty. i've been wanting to make a risotto style dish with pearled barley, but i like the wheat berry idea!

    laura

    ReplyDelete
  5. i've never tried pearled barley before... whip something up so i have a new ingredient to try ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. ooh, I bet it was delicious with the bulgur.

    ReplyDelete