Fresh Herbed Barley Pilaf Recipes

BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• In a large pot of boilingsalted water, cook pearl barley until tender but stillal dente, about 35 minutes. Drain in a fine-mesh sieveand rinse with cool water to stop the cooking.
• In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium-high. Add shallot, minced, and season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes; add barley and stir to combine. Transfer barley mixture to a largebowl and stir in toasted pine nuts, finely chopped fresh parsley, and freshlemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the barley and stir until the grains are just coated in butter. Add the broth and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and quickly stir in the spaghetti; cover and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and the barley and spaghetti are tender, stirring once more, about 15 minutes more. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chopped chives.

ROAST CHICKEN & BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• Roast chicken: heat oven to 450°F.
• Gently lift skin from breast and legs and season with salt and pepper: place some sliced garlic and fresh herbs under skin. Place remaining garlic and herbs in the cavity of the chicken.
• Place chicken on a rack in a large roasting pan. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the pan. roast for 50 to 60 minutes.
• Make Barley Pilaf: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat oil. Add onion, carrot and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add broth, barley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender. Stirring occasionally. Add a few tablespoons water if mixture becomes too dry.
• Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes. Remove skin, slice and serve with pilaf.

HERB-BASTED CHICKEN WITH PEARL BARLEY, BACON, AND ROOT VEGETABLE PILAF

Steps:

• For pilaf:
• Bring 2 cups water and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Mix in barley. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Drain barley.
• Sauté bacon in large pot over medium heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from pot. Add shallot; stir 30 seconds. Add cubed vegetables and sugar; sauté 6 minutes. Add barley, lemon juice, and herbs; stir 2 minutes. Mix in bacon; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Cover and place in oven to rewarm while chicken roasts, adding water by tablespoonfuls to moisten if dry.)
• For chicken:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken, skin side down, in skillet. Cook until skin browns, about 7 minutes. Add butter and herbs to skillet; stir to blend. Turn chicken skin side up. Place skillet in oven; roast chicken until cooked through, basting occasionally with herb butter, about 20 minutes.
• Divide pilaf among 4 plates; top with chicken. Spoon pan juices over.

BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan.
• Stir in onion, celery and mushrooms; saute until tender (about 5 minutes).
• Stir in barley and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned.
• Add bouillon, water and pepper; heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 45 to 55 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and barley is tender.
• Or place barley mixture in covered casserole and bake at 325 degrees until liquid is absorbed and barley is tender.
• Meanwhile, wash spinach thoroughly.
• Steam 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir into cooked barley mixture.
• Cook until heated through.

BARLEY AND RED LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oil in large pot and add mustard seeds.
• Cook 60 seconds or till they start to pop.
• Add onions and garlic - cook till soft.
• Stir in ground coriander and turmeric - cook one minute more.
• Add barley and stir till well coated.
• Add stock, bring to the boil.
• Simmer on low for 25 minutes, stir occassionally.
• Add red lentils and simmer for another 20 minutes.
• Add cauliflower and peas and cook about 10 minutes till vegetables are tender and nearly all liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff the grains with a fork.
• Stir through coriander and season to taste.

HERBED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook the rice, celery and onion in butter, stirring constantly, until rice is browned. Stir in the next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley; stir in pimientos if desired. , Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

FRESH HERBED BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• Heat a saucepan until a few drops of water will "dance" on it. Add mushrooms and dry-sauté until they have released most of their juices, about 6 minutes.
• Add oil, onion or shallot, leek and herbs; sauté until tender and beginning to brown.
• Stir in cooked barley and toss together until heated through and flavors are blended.
• Optional additions: dried fruit such as cranberries, currants, or cherries; sliced or crushed nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts.