Springtime Barley Recipes

SPRING BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add barley and leeks; cook until beginning to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add wine; cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water; bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat; simmer until liquid absorbs, about 10 minutes.
• Add broth and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add asparagus; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in peas until heated through. Add Parmesan and mint; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with mint leaves.

NUTTY BARLEY BAKE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the onion, barley and nuts in butter until barley is lightly browned. Stir in the parsley, green onions, salt and pepper. , Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Stir in broth. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1-1/4 hours or until the barley is tender and the liquid is absorbed. If desired, sprinkle with additional parsley and green onions.

SPRINGTIME BARLEY

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion and carrot in butter until crisp-tender. Stir in the barley; cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in 1 cup broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until most of the liquid is absorbed. , Add asparagus. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally and adding more broth as needed. Stir in marjoram and pepper; sprinkle with cheese.

SPRING CHICKEN & BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add broth, chicken and barley. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• Return the broth to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, shred the chicken or cut into bite-size pieces; discard the bone.
• When the barley is done, add the chicken, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes with juice, asparagus, peas, salt and a grinding of pepper; return to a simmer.
• Cover and cook over low heat until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes more.
• Gather basil and orange zest and finely chop together.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with a generous pinch of the basil mixture.

SPRING BARLEY SALAD

Steps:

• BRING 1-1/2 quart (6 cups) salted water to boil in large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add barley; return water to boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 45 minute or until barley is tender. Drain; cool.
• BEAT salad dressing mix, lemon juice, vinegar and oil in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended.
• Add barley; toss to coat.
• CUT asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Add to barley mixture along with the peas and lemon peel; mix lightly.