Barley

Tomato Pearl Barley Risotto

December 29, 2015
5
2 Ratings
Photo by Lily Hughes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

This is a simple dish that you can dress up as you like. I add a splash of sherry and a dollop of créme fraîche to mine, but these are optional. You could skip the cheese and butter to make it vegan (maybe add a sprinkle of horseradish or sumac to deepen the flavor)? Of course, you could always add more cheese and butter too. —Lily Hughes

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Ingredients
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons creme fraiche
  • 1 handful grated parmesan
  • 1 splash sherry
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
Directions
  1. Dice onion and garlic. Heat butter in a large sauce pan on a medium high heat, add onion, then garlic. Sauté and add thyme leaves, paprika, coriander, chili flakes, oregano, and salt & pepper.
  2. Add pearl barley and stir everything together. Deglaze the pan with sherry and allow alcohol to burn off. Add tomatoes (then rinse the can with some water and add that too). Add vegetable stock then reduce heat and simmer until the barley is cooked through (approx. 30 minutes). Stir constantly to stop the risotto sticking to the pan.
  3. Once cooked, remove from heat. Add lemon zest and juice, créme fraîche, and most of the parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning. Spoon the risotto into bowls, garnish with a couple of thyme leaves and sprinkle with the rest of the parmesan.

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2 Reviews

Jordan January 21, 2016
A great dish, in general. I added some peas, carrots and mushrooms, which were great. I like spicy food, but even so, backed down on the chili flakes, and it was still too spicy. Also, it was too lemony for me. I'll definitely make it again, with more veggies, and less chili and lemon. Thanks.
Lily H. January 21, 2016
Glad you liked it! Adding veggies is a great idea, I'll definitely try that next time. And I think you're right about the chili flakes, it should be 1/2 a teaspoon, I've corrected the amount. Thanks!