Lemon Barley Stuffing Recipes

OLD FASHIONED LEMON (CITRUS) BARLEY WATER

Steps:

• Rinse the barley well.
• Cover barley in a pot with cold water & bring to the boil, drain.
• Return barley to saucepan with the lemon rind & 10 cups water, cook slowly for 1 hour.
• Add the lemon juice & sugar and stir until sugar has dissolved.
• Strain and chill to serve.
• Discarded barley can be mixed with some dried fruit & nuts and warm milk and makes a great breakfast.

LEMON BARLEY STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add barley and rosemary sprig; cook 1 minute more. Pour in the stock, 1 1/2 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover and simmer until barley is tender and most liquid has evaporated, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Check it after an hour. If it is tender but liquid is not absorbed, drain barley in a strainer. Or if liquid has evaporated and barley is still not tender, add a little more water and continue cooking until it is.
• Meanwhile, toss mushrooms with oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Roast, tossing occasionally, until tender and beginning to crisp around edges, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Make chive butter: In a mortar and pestle or mini food processor, mash together the garlic and salt until it forms a paste. Stir in the lemon zest and juice until salt dissolves. Pound or pulse in the chives, then stir in the butter until incorporated.
• Spoon hot barley into a large bowl. Stir in mushrooms, hazelnuts, parsley and chive butter until well combined. Taste and add more salt and lemon if necessary.

BARLEY-STUFFED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Cook barley according to package directions.
• Pull off and discard any wilted or coarse outer cabbage leaves.
• Cut out core to a depth of about 3 inches.
• Parboil cabbage in a large kettle of salted boiling water for about 15 mins, or until leaves are soft enough to be pliable.
• Carefully cut out the tough part of the rib from each leaf.
• Saute onion in shortening until soft. Add mushrooms and lemon juice; saute 3 minutes
• Season with paprika, salt and pepper. Add cooked barley and parsley and mix well.
• Spoon 1 or more large spoonfuls of stuffing onto each leaf, the exact amount depending on the leaf's size.
• Roll up and fold in edges to securely enclose stuffing. Secure with toothpicks or tie with string.
• Place in a kettle. Cover with bouillon and cook slowly, covered, about 1 1/2 hours, or until leaves are tender.
• Remove stuffed leaves and keep warm. Stir flour into drippings and cook, stirring, until smooth.
• Add sour cream and dill and heat through. Pour sauce over stuffed leaves.