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Some of the best vegetarian dinners are the ones that don’t feel like you’re settling for vegetables. This hearty recipe combines chewy farro, an ancient wheat grain with a nutty flavor, with savory mushrooms, spinach, garlic and fresh herbs. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but has enough flavor and texture to make dinner feel like something more.

And some of the ingredients have an interesting history beyond the kitchen. Mushrooms, garlic and bay leaf have all been associated with aphrodisiac traditions, which gives this humble grain recipe an unexpected connection to food and desire.

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Why mushrooms make this farro recipe so good

Suppose you were at a cocktail party and had to answer an ice-breaker question about what vegetable would be your boyfriend. Mine would be a mushroom. So down-to-earth, exotic, sensual…but back to the topic.

Mushrooms bring a lot to this simple farro recipe. Their satisfyingly meaty texture gives the dish substance, while their savory, earthy flavor pairs beautifully with the nutty chewiness of farro. They also contribute protein and other nutrients, making them more than just a flavorful addition.

And then there is the romantic history. Mushrooms have been associated with aphrodisiac traditions in cultures around the world, with their unusual shapes, earthy origins and distinctive sensory qualities all contributing to their reputation as foods of desire. There are also nutritional reasons mushrooms can be interesting from a sexual-health perspective, which is part of what makes them such a fun ingredient to explore.

Additional aphrodisiac ingredients in this farro recipe

Bay leaf: Bay leaf, the herb that seasons the farro, is historically a food of love. Although it doesn’t look like something that will put a fire in your loins, bay leaf may support circulation. Here’s more information on bay leaf as an aphrodisiac.

Garlic: Garlic is also famously an aphrodisiac. One of the most popular flavorings in Mediterranean cooking, garlic is considered to have many health benefits, including several that can support sexual health. For example, did you know that garlic can improve blood flow? Garlic is so beneficial to men that it even makes our list of the 10 best foods for men’s sexual health.

Spinach: Like all dark, leafy greens, spinach is nutrient-rich. Specific to your sexual health, it offers important vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium. Just be sure not to overcook the spinach when you’re cooking the vegetables for your farro bowl. Although cooking can actually increase the nutrition you will absorb from the spinach, overcooking will give it an unpleasant texture.

Keep in mind that before making any drastic changes to your diet to improve sexual health, you should speak to a medical professional.

A time-saving tip for cooking farro

For this farro mushroom recipe, I use quick-cooking farro as a time-saving technique. Whole farro takes much longer to cook, while pearled farro cooks considerably faster. If you’re at the store and aren’t sure what to get, look for pearled or quick-cooking farro and follow the package directions.

What to serve with this warm farro recipe

This hearty farro recipe is great on its own as a main course or nutritious lunch. It is completely vegan, but you can also serve the farro warm or as a salad alongside healthy meat, like this marinated bison.

To make the meal feel more special, serve this mushroom farro recipe with a good glass of wine. Although many people think you have to serve white wine with vegetarian meals, mushrooms and red wine make wonderful partners. Try an affordable Argentine Malbec or splurge on a great Pinot Noir.

More farro recipes and other healthy grain bowls

Butternut Farroto

Pearl Barley Grain Bowl with Apples & Parmesan

Roast Winter Squash with Whole Grains

closeup of quick cooking farro with mushrooms in a large, white bowl

Hearty Farro with Mushrooms and Spinach

Print Recipe

This simple recipe makes a one-pot, vegetarian main course with the ancient grain, farro as the base and mushrooms as the star.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Cooking Style Easy, fast, vegan, Vegetarian

Diet and Health Healthy, low fat

Seasonal autumn, spring, winter

Ingredient farro

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 224

Author Diane Brown

Ingredients

8 oz quick cooking farro
2 leaves dried bay
olive oil salt & pepper
8 oz brown cremini mushrooms cleaned, stems removed, sliced
1 shallot sliced
2 cloves garlic
2 oz of baby spinach
2 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley

US Customary - Metric

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Pour the farro and bay leaves into the boiling water, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When farro is cooked to al dente, drain in a colander. Place farro in a large mixing bowl, remove bay leaf, and put aside to cool.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Add the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, for about 3 minutes, until golden, then stir to turn and continue to cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until juices release and mushrooms are completely brown. Season with salt and pepper and add to the farro. Drizzle a bit more olive oil in the pan and add the shallots and garlic. Cook for another few minutes, then add in the spinach and parsley, cooking just to wilt. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper, then add the vegetables to the farro mixture. Stir everything together and taste for seasoning, adding additional olive oil, salt and pepper if needed.
Serve farro warm, at room temperature or cold.

Notes

A note on the provided nutrition information

The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition

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Diane Brown

Diane Brown is the author of The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations For Lovers, (Innova Publishing 2005). She is a personal chef as well as a freelance food writer. Her work has appeared in publications including Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Sunset, Veggie Life, Chile Pepper and Wine Enthusiast. She has taught aphrodisiac cooking both in person and on tv and radio, including appearances on The Other Half, Fox News “Ask the Expert” and Leeza at Night. A champion of CSA's, Diane writes the blog Family Farm Box, where she showcases the use of local, fresh produce.

Easy Farro Bowl Recipe with Mushrooms and Spinach