Chard And Pearl Barley Stew Recipes

TRADITIONAL IRISH STEW WITH PEARL BARLEY

Steps:

• Start off by trimming and cutting away excess fat off the meat.
• Pat the pieces dry and in a bowl toss them with flour.
• In a heavy-based saucepan, over high heat, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and brown the meat pieces in small batches and then remove and set aside in a bowl.
• In the same saucepan, over medium heat add in the rest of the olive oil and add in the chopped onions, garlic and bay leaves and saute till translucent, takes about 10 minutes.
• Return the browned meat pieces to the pot and add in the dried thyme and give it all a good stir.
• Sprinkle pearl barley on top and pour in all of the stock and season with salt and pepper.
• Increase the heat and bring it to a simmering point.
• Spoon off any scum that rises to the surface, then cover the pan with a well-fitting lid and leave to simmer over a low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally.
• After the hour is up, spoon off scum if any and then add in the potatoes and carrots and give all a good stir and leave it cook for another hour.
• Carefully stir in 2 tbsp of chopped parsley and take it off heat.
• Garnish with the remaining 1 tbsp of chopped parsley and serve!

CHARD AND PEARL BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in chard stems, leeks, carrots, celery, and nutmeg. Cook 7 to 9 minutes, or until vegetables release juices but are still brightly colored, stirring often.
• Add broth, barley, and 1 1/2 cups water. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 45 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add lima beans and chard leaves. Simmer 10 minutes more, or until lima beans are tender.

PAN-FRIED PARTRIDGE WITH A DELICATE PEARL BARLEY, PEA AND LETTUCE STEW

Steps:

• Cook the pearl barley in boiling, salted water for about 50 minutes, or until tender but still with a little bite, then drain and leave to steam dry.
• Next, heat a glug of olive oil in a frying pan and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly on a low heat for about 10 minutes, without coloring too much. Add the barley and the peas. Cover with the stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring every now and then.
• On a board, mash the flour and butter together with a fork until you have a paste. This is called a "beurre manie" and it's a great way of thickening stews or sauces without having to stir the flour in directly, which could give you lumps. Stir half of the paste into the peas and barley and continue to simmer until the liquid begins to thicken. If, after 5 minutes, it's not thick enough, add some more of your beurre manie. What you want to achieve is a silky smooth broth. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, adding a little extra stock if it gets too dry, while you cook your partridges.
• Put some olive oil into another frying pan. Season the partridge legs with salt and pepper and add them to the pan. (The legs go in first because they're tougher than the breasts and need longer to cook.) Shake them about and, after a few minutes, when they're lightly golden, add the bacon bits and stir gently to stop them catching on the bottom. Meanwhile, lay the partridge breasts out, sprinkle over the chopped thyme and press onto both sides with a good pinch of seasoning. When the bacon is lightly golden, push it to 1 side of the pan with the partridge legs and lay the breasts in, skin side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then turn and cook on the other side for a minute to give you crispy skin and moist meat. You can cook them for longer if you like your meat well done.
• When the breasts are done, taste the barley broth and adjust the seasoning, then stir in the lettuce and arugula - they only need a minute or so to cook. Serve the barley, peas and lettuce with the partridge breasts and legs on top and sprinkle with the bacon pieces. Spoon the broth juices over the top. Lovely homey cooking!

BARLEY, SWISS CHARD, AND LIMA BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a baking pan toast the barley in a preheated 375°F. oven, shaking the pan occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is aromatic. In a large kettle cook the onions, the carrot, and the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are browned. Add the water, the broth, the ham hocks, and the parsley and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 1 hour. Add the toasted barley and the celery and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Transfer the ham hocks with tongs to a cutting board, discard the fat and bones, and chop the ham coarse. To the kettle add the ham, the Swiss chard, the lima beans, the basil, the thyme, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer the soup for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chard is tender.

PEA & FETA PEARL BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan or flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 mins, then add the garlic and lemon zest and fry for another 1 min. Add the pearl barley and the stock. Season, bring to the boil, then simmer for 30 mins, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, put the feta in a bowl with the remaining olive oil, half the lemon juice, most of the mint and a good grinding of black pepper. Leave to marinate while the barley cooks.
• Remove the lid from the barley and cook for 5 mins more. Increase the heat then add the peas, half the feta and all the feta juices. Cook for 3 mins, then check the seasoning. Divide between four bowls and top with the remaining feta and mint.

CHEESY STOVE-TOP BARLEY AND SWISS CHARD

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet or braiser over medium-high. Add mushrooms and chard stems; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add barley and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and creamy, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Stir in chard leaves, Parmigiano, and lemon juice; cover and cook, stirring once, until chard is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season, top with Gruyère, cover, and heat until melted, 2 minutes. Serve with basil.