Pearl Barley With Stir Fried Sprouts Food

SPICY STIR-FRIED SPROUTS

Steps:

• Cook the sprouts in boiling salted water for 3 mins, then drain. Heat the oil in a wok, then stir-fry the chilli, garlic and ginger for 1 min. Add the sprouts, cook for 2 mins, then drizzle with the soy sauce. Give everything a final toss before serving.

BARLEY STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to boil in deep saucepan.
• Add barley. When liquid returns to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until barley is almost tender.
• Makes 2 cups cooked barley.
• Heat the oil in a medium, non-stick skillet over high heat.
• Stir-fry onion and red pepper 1 minute.
• Add mushrooms and stir-fry until they look moist, about 1 minute.
• Add snow peas, scallions, ginger, and stir-fry 15 seconds.
• Add cooked barley, orange juice, teriyaki sauce, and salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
• Cook until barley is heated through.
• Serve immediately.

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!

PEARL BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse barley in a colander with cold tap water. Leave to drain for several minutes.
• Sauté veg 5 minutes: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, swede, mushrooms and garlic (yes, all at once!). Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
• Sauté herbs/spices: Add thyme, coriander, fennel, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
• Simmer 35 minutes: Add pearl barley and vegetable stock. Stir, bring to a boil and simmer for 35 minutes until barley is cooked. It will have a nice chew to it but should not have a hard centre like uncooked rice.
• Stir in parsley: Stir in parsley leaves. Ladle into bowls and serve!

STIR-FRIED ASIAN BARLEY

Steps:

• Cook the barley in a large pan of boiling water for 40 minutes or until soft, adding more water if necessary and then drain and set aside.
• Lightly spray a wok with canola oil spray and heat over medium heat,.
• Whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of the water and pour into the wok and swirl to coat, cooking the omelette until set, lifting the egg to allow the uncooked egg to run underneath and then remove the omelette and drain on absorbent paper for 5 minutes and then shred into thin strips.
• Heat the oils in the wok and add the spring onions and bacon and stir fry for 3 minutes or until soft and then add the celery, capsicum, carrot and remaining water and stir fry for 5 minutes and then add the peas and broccolini and cook until tender.
• Stir in the barley and combined soy and sweet chilli sauces and cook until heated through and then fold through the omelette and serve.

STIR-FRIED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over high for a few minutes. Drops of water should skitter across the surface then evaporate quickly. Set the pan lid and 1/2 cup water next to the stove. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan (3 to 4 tablespoons), then add garlic and sizzle until fragrant and wisps of smoke rise from the oil, about 15 seconds. Add brussels sprouts, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir to coat with oil. Spread in an even layer, carefully add water and immediately cover.
• Cook without stirring until the water has almost completely evaporated, 4 to 6 minutes. After silent simmering, there will be loud popping sounds that quiet to a crackle.
• Uncover, sprinkle with sugar and soy sauce, and stir for 1 minute. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes and serve.

BUTTER-FRIED SPROUTS WITH CRISPY SHALLOTS & ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a low heat. Fry the shallots, stirring for 10 mins until golden and brown at the edges. Add the garlic and almonds. Fry for 5 mins more until the garlic is golden. Tip into a bowl.
• Melt the butter, and stir-fry the sprouts for 10 mins until softened and starting to brown, adding a splash of water if they start to catch. Season. Toss with half the shallot and almond mix, tip into a dish, then scatter over the other half.