Cheesy Barley Gratin Recipes

CHEESY POTATOES GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, then season with salt and cook until the onions are soft and very aromatic, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until the roux is the consistency of wet sand, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in the milk, bring to a boil and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off the heat and whisk in the mustard and cheeses. Season with salt to taste to make sure it is delicious!
• Place a quarter of the potatoes in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Ladle a quarter of the cheese sauce evenly over the potatoes. Repeat this process 3 or 4 more times with the remaining potatoes and sauce, pushing down the potatoes between each layer and topping with the sauce. Place the baking dish on a sheet tray lined with foil. Bake, rotating the dish halfway through, until the potatoes are soft when poked with a fork, 50 to 60 minutes. Tent with foil if the top is getting too brown.
• Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
• Hot cheesy potatoes!

BLISSED-OUT CRISPY CHEESY BROCCOLI GRATIN

Steps:

• Adjust one oven rack to the upper-middle position and another rack to the position. Place a rimmed sheet pan on the middle rack and preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil and salt in a medium-size bowl. Turn the broccoli out onto the hot sheet pan (it should sizzle!) and roast until the bottom of the florets are nicely browned, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the butter and garlic in a ramekin and place it in the oven until the butter melts, 5 minutes. (Alternatively, combine them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power in 15-second increments, swirling between each, until the butter melts, 45 seconds to 1 minute.)
• Place the bread crumbs in a medium-size bowl, add the butter-garlic mixture, and toss with a fork. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses and toss to combine.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven and sprinkle the broccoli with the cheesy bread crumb mixture. Turn the broiler to high and place the sheet pan on the upper rack. Broil until the cheese is melted and browned, 1 to 2 minutes (watch the bread crumbs closely as broiler intensities vary and you don't want them to burn). Remove from the oven, transfer to a platter-making sure to scrape up all of the crispy, crunchy cheesy bits-and serve.

BEET GREENS, GREEN GARLIC AND BARLEY GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 2-quart gratin dish with olive oil. Blanch the beet greens for one minute in a large pot of generously salted boiling water, or steam over 1 inch of boiling water for two to five minutes until wilted and tender. Rinse with cold water, squeeze out water and chop medium-fine. Set aside.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet. Add the onion, and cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Continue to cook for another minute or two until the garlic is fragrant. Stir in the cooked greens and the thyme, and toss together. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and milk. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir in the greens mixture, the barley or rice, and the cheeses. Mix together well. Scrape into the oiled baking dish.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes until sizzling and lightly browned on the top and sides. Remove from the heat, and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.

CHEESY STOVE-TOP BARLEY AND SWISS CHARD

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet or braiser over medium-high. Add mushrooms and chard stems; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add barley and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and creamy, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Stir in chard leaves, Parmigiano, and lemon juice; cover and cook, stirring once, until chard is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season, top with Gruyère, cover, and heat until melted, 2 minutes. Serve with basil.