Pea Feta Pearl Barley Stew Food

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.

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!

EASY SPLIT PEA AND BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• Saute the onion in the oil until fragrant.
• Add the celery and carrot. Continue to saute until the whole lot is beginning to soften and smell aromatic.
• Tip in the barley and split peas. Add 8 cups of water, reduce heat, and allow to simmer for about 40 minutes or until the legumes and grains are beginning to become tender.
• Add the tomatoes and puree. Stir and allow to simmer for another 20-30 minutes to allow flavours to meld. If it looks as if it is drying out, add a cup of water.
• Season to taste before serving.

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!

PERSIAN SPLIT PEA AND BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the barley, bay leaf, garlic and 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the split peas, cardamom, cinnamon and the remaining water and simmer, covered for another 45 minutes, or until the barley and split peas are soft and most of the liquid has absorbed.
• Stir occasionally and, if necessary, add a small amount of additional water to prevent the mixture from sticking.
• While the barley and split peas are cooking, place the onions, carrots, potatoes, salt, cayenne, and stock in a large saucepan.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and continue to simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the cooked barley and split peas. Stir in the parsley, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaf.