Is this recipe freezable? Please
I have not made the recipe. Because I have too many honeycrisps, was thinking to double it right away and freeze some for later.
Do you think this would freeze well or get way too mushy?
Recipe question for:
Farro Risotto with Caramelized Apples and Fennel
Recommended by Food52
4 Comments
A lot of restaurants pre-cook grains (like risotto) about three-quarters of the way done and then cool rapidly (usually spreading out on a sheet pan). They reheat individual portions to order with whatever cooking liquid called for.
For this recipe you'd go to Step 4 of the farro risotto section but stop before it is al dente, again estimating that you want to be about 3/4 of the intended doneness. Cool rapidly on sheet pan then refrigerate/freeze. You'd also freeze some of the broth/cider mixture.
The caramelized apple/fennel mixture should survive freezing as well. I make apple compotes when I have a lot.
To finish cooking you'd defrost the risotto first (leaving it overnight in the fridge should basically accomplish this) as well as the broth and basically finish off Step 4 until al dente then proceed with the rest of the recipe. Thus you would not freeze the farro and apple/fennel mixture together. Keep them separate as well as the leftover broth.
You'd want to finish with fresh herbs, spices, and fresh cheese. None of those will get any better in the freeze.
Note that keeping the apple/fennel mixture separate allows you to repurpose it for other dishes. I would have no qualms about serving it as a condiment for many meat dishes (particularly a pork roast).