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Meat, Meal soups and plant based

Spelt with mushrooms and bacon lardons

Spelt with mushrooms and bacon lardons is a creamy dish for 4 people, ready in 40 minutes, rated very easy, for about €2.40 per person. The key to success is cooking the spelt in salted water like pasta, with no stirring or ladle by ladle broth like a real risotto.

Tonight, risotto style spelt with pan fried mushrooms, bacon lardons, and a touch of cream.

Spelt with mushrooms and bacon lardons
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter

Whole spelt has a firm, slightly nutty bite, very different from the soft rice of a classic risotto. Mushrooms cooked in the bacon fat pick up all that smoky flavor, and the cream just coats everything without drowning it. It's a rustic meal that fills you up without feeling heavy.

This is the kind of dish you make on a weeknight when you want something warm and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. It also works for a relaxed Sunday with the family, and comes together easily if friends drop by unannounced. Mon Chou designed it so you don't have to babysit a pot or dirty ten pans.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Whole speltoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Button mushrooms 400 g
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Parsley 1 bunch

Butcher

  • Smoked bacon lardons 200 g

Dairy

  • Heavy cream 10 cl

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the whole spelt in a large pot of salted boiling water, then drain it. 25 min

    Taste it, it should still have a slight bite.

  2. Brown the bacon lardons in a large dry skillet and set them aside. 5 min

    Keep the fat left in the pan, it flavors the mushrooms.

  3. Sauté the sliced mushrooms over high heat in the skillet with a bit of oil, then add the chopped onion and garlic. 10 min

    Salt at the end of cooking, otherwise the mushrooms release too much water.

  4. Add the spelt, bacon lardons, and cream, and stir over low heat. 3 min

    The cream should just coat the spelt, not drown it.

  5. Season generously with pepper, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve right away.

    A spoonful of mustard in the cream brightens up the dish.

Our tips to get it right

  • Slice the mushrooms evenly so they all cook at the same rate and keep a bit of bite.
  • Skip rinsing the mushrooms under water, wipe them with a damp cloth instead so they don't release too much water while cooking.
  • Save a bit of the spelt cooking water, it can loosen the dish if the cream thickens too much.

The variations

  • Swap the bacon lardons for diced smoked ham or hand cut smoked pork belly, for a slightly milder flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon, double the mushrooms, and stir in a little grated parmesan at the end.
  • For kids, blend part of the mushrooms into the cream, it makes a smoother sauce that's easier to eat.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with vinaigrette
  • A glass of dry white wine
  • Grilled country bread

Storage

This dish keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. It doesn't freeze especially well since the cream can split when thawed. Reheat it gently in a pan or saucepan with a splash of water or milk to bring back the creaminess.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different grain instead of spelt?

Yes, pearl barley or round risotto rice both work, but the cooking time will change. Check the texture often, since these grains cook faster than whole spelt.

Do you need to soak the spelt before cooking it?

No, it's not necessary for this recipe, it cooks straight in salted boiling water like pasta. Soaking mainly helps when you want to shorten a very long cooking time.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can cook the spelt and prep the mushrooms and bacon ahead, then reheat everything together with the cream right before serving. This keeps the spelt from getting too soft while it waits.

What mushrooms can replace button mushrooms?

Oyster mushrooms or shiitake both work well and add more flavor. Slice shiitake thinly since their texture is firmer.

How long does it take to make a spelt dish with mushrooms and bacon lardons?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a spelt dish with mushrooms and bacon lardons?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a spelt dish with mushrooms and bacon lardons cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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