Skip to content

Farfel

Farfel (פרפל): toasted egg-pasta pellets cooked like a pilaf with onion and vegetable stock

Farfel, little barley-sized pellets of egg pasta, are what many Ashkenazi grandmothers in Israel cook instead of rice, especially on Friday nights alongside soup and roast vegetables. Toasted in oil until golden, then simmered in stock with soft onion, they turn out fluffy and separate with a gentle nutty taste, a bit like a tiny pasta pilaf. This version uses vegetable stock, so it is vegetarian and dairy free. Serve it as a side or stir through mushrooms for a light supper. A common mistake is adding too much stock, which makes the pellets swell into a sticky mass. Chef's tip: toast the farfel until it smells like toast and is evenly amber before any liquid goes in.
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
One step at a time, big text, timers, read-aloud. Your screen stays on.

Ingredients

Serves4

Shop this recipe on Amazon

Fresh ingredients (3)

Links open Amazon in a new tab. As an Amazon Associate, WhatToEat.Today earns from qualifying purchases.

Method

0/4 done
  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp sunflower oil in a wide saucepan over a medium heat and soften 1 onion until translucent and starting to colour.

    6 min
  2. Step 2: Add 9 oz egg farfel (toasted egg barley pasta) and stir constantly until the pellets are evenly golden and smell toasted.

    5 min
  3. Step 3: Stir in ½ tsp sweet paprika, then pour in 2 cups hot vegetable stock with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer on a low heat until the stock is absorbed and the farfel is tender with a little bite.

    12 min
  4. Step 4: Take off the heat, leave covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and scatter with 1 tbsp dill if using.

    5 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
330 kcal
Protein
10 g
Carbs
50 g
Fat
10 g
Fibre
3 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does farfel take?
About 30 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegetarian?
Yes. It has no meat or fish.
What can I use instead of onion?
2 shallots per onion.
What can I use instead of hot vegetable stock?
Chicken stock, same amount (not vegetarian).

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to cook it.

Rate this recipe

Sign in to rate and review this recipe.

Boiled pasta

The basic method for any dried pasta, from penne to spaghetti. A large pan of salted boiling water keeps the pasta from sticking, and you cook it only until just done, with a little bite left. Use it in salads, bakes or with any sauce.

by KrazyBadal 3 views

Mint pistachio pesto

A fresh, fragrant pesto made with mint leaves and toasted pistachios. It is lovely tossed through hot pasta or spooned over roasted vegetables, and a spoonful lifts a plain vegetable soup.

by KrazyBadal 1 views

Laksam

Kota Bharu's morning market has its own noodle: laksam, thick sheets of steamed rice batter rolled up like little carpets and sliced into wheels. They are drowned in a pale, creamy gravy of pounded fish and coconut milk, then heaped with raw herbs and vegetables (ulam): cucumber, long beans, bean sprouts, daun kesum and torch ginger flower, with a spoonful of fiery chilli and budu, the region's fermented anchovy sauce. The result is soft and slippery, rich and cool at the same time. Locals eat it for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack. Chef's tip: pound the cooked fish with the shallots instead of blending it smooth; the gravy should feel faintly textured, like a thin porridge.

by KrazyBadal 1 views