Vegetable Barley Risotto Recipes

BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring broth to a simmer; keep hot., In another small saucepan over medium-high heat, cook and stir the barley for 2-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a small bowl. In the same saucepan, saute onion in oil for 2 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer or until onion is tender. Stir in barley and wine. Cook and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed. , Add hot broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until barley is almost tender (cooking time is about 45 minutes). Add the parsley and lemon zest; cook and stir until heated through. Serve immediately.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the carrot, celery root, and butternut squash with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the salt on a baking sheet and spread out in an even layer. Roast until golden and tender, about 25 minutes.
• Combine the chicken broth and thyme in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the barley, onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften a bit, about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine, and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed. Add 2 cups of the broth, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. Add the remaining broth and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender but still slightly firm and the mixture is still soupy, about 30 minutes. Add the roasted vegetables and cook until the vegetables are heated through. Stir the mustard greens into the risotto, then let the mixture sit until the greens wilt, about 3 minutes. If the risotto thickens up too much, thin it out with a little hot water. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Pass grated cheese at the table.

GRILLED VEGETABLE BARLEY "RISOTTO" WITH MARINATED PORTOBELLO STEAK

Steps:

• Mix oil and garlic. In a large bowl, toss the oil with all the vegetables and season well with salt and pepper. On a hot grill, mark and cook the vegetables. Place all the vegetables back in same bowl and seal with plastic wrap to finish cooking. When the vegetables are cool chop everything except the scallions into small pieces and pour any leftover liquid into the vegetable stock. In a 1 quart saucier, add a little butter and saute the shallots. Add the barley and saute for 5 minutes until the barley gets a little 'toasty.' Ladle in stock, one ladle at a time, (like making risotto). Continue adding stock until the barley gets 'creamy.' Season. Add back the vegetables and heat thoroughly. Add the cheese. Check for seasoning.
• In a large pasta bowl, place a mound of barley on the top half of the plate. Slice the Marinated Portobello Mushrooms like it was a steak. Fan out in front of barley and garnish with Basil Oil and basil sprig.
• Mix all together, taste for seasoning and marinate mushroom caps for 1 hour. On a very hot grill, mark and cook caps until hot in the middle.
• In very salted water, blanch basil and spinach for 30 seconds, or until very soft, yet still green. Plunge in ice bath and squeeze out water. Blend at high speed and add salt and the oil. Cover blender and blend for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cup becomes warm.