Pearl Barley Butternut Squash And Sage Risotto Food

SPEEDY BUTTERNUT SQUASH BARLEY 'RISOTTO'

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the shallot with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until soft. Add the squash, garlic, sage and mace, and fry, stirring continually, for another 6-8 mins until the squash is starting to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
• Tip in the spinach and barley with some seasoning and the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 mins until the spinach has wilted. Add a splash more stock or water, if you like. When the 'risotto' is thick and creamy, taste to see if it needs a little more mace or nutmeg and seasoning. Stir in most of the parmesan, then top with the remaining parmesan and grind over some black pepper to serve.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• Rinse the barley well under cold water and leave to drain well.
• Melt the butter and 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a very large frying pan and cook the celery, shallots, and garlic over gentle heat for 5 minutes, until soft. Add the barley, thyme, paprika, bay, lemon peel, chile flakes, tomatoes, stock, passata, and a small amount of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a very gentle simmer and cook for 45 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. When ready, the barley should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
• Meanwhile, toast the caraway seeds in a dry pan for a couple of minutes, being careful not to burn them. Then lightly crush them so that some whole seeds remain. Add them to the feta with the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and mix GENTLY to combine.
• Once the risotto is ready, check and correct for seasoning and then divide it among four shallow bowls. Top each serving with 1/4 of the marinated fetainxcluding the oil, and a sprinkling of oregano leaves.

CREAMY BARLEY & SQUASH RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large shallow saucepan. Add the onion and squash, and cook very gently, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the squash is starting to soften, about 10 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Splash in the white wine and boil down. Add the barley, give it a stir and pour in the stock.
• Gently simmer for 45 mins, stirring occasionally, until all the stock has been absorbed and the barley is tender. Add a little extra stock during cooking if it evaporates too quickly. Turn off the heat and stir through the mascarpone, half the Parmesan and all the parsley, then season. Spoon into bowls and scatter with the remaining Parmesan.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low.
• Heat oil in a medium sized pot over medium heat.
• Add onion and sauté until tender.
• Add squash and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add barley and stir for 2 more minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of the boiled broth, and chopped sage. Simmer, stirring often until broth is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining broth slowly, about 1/3 cup at a time, allowing it to be absorbed each time.
• Cook barley until tender but still firm, about 35-40 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.