Barley Asparagus Risotto With Balsamic Vinegar Recipes

TOASTED BARLEY AND ASPARAGUS "RISOTTO"

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer to bowl of ice water and cool. Drain. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Stir barley in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Transfer barley to bowl. Melt butter in same saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add barley and stir to coat. Add 2 cups broth; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Mix in 2 1/2 cups broth and simmer until absorbed, stirring frequently. Add 3 cups broth and simmer until barley is tender and creamy but still slightly firm to bite, stirring frequently and adding more broth if mixture is dry, about 45 minutes. Add tomatoes and asparagus; stir until heated through, about 3 minutes. Mix in cheese, arugula and lemon peel. Season with salt and pepper.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add in the asparagus, mushrooms, and garlic; cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the barley and stir to coat with oil.
• Add the thyme and wine and stir gently until the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed before each addition.
• Add salt and pepper to taste; simmer, stirring frequently, until creamy; serve immediately.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH LIMA BEANS, ASPARAGUS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat grill. Using side burner or top of grill. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add 1/2 leeks and fennel and cook until soft. Add the thyme and barley and cook for 1 minute. Place the broth and saffron in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Begin by adding 2 cups of the stock and stir until the barley has absorbed the stock. Add the remaining leeks and fennel and 4 cups of the broth. Cook until barley is tender and the mixture is creamy, stirring often, about 30 minutes, during the last 10 minutes add the asparagus. If the mixture appears dry, add the remaining 1 cup of stock. Add the lima beans and spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

SLOW-COOKER ASPARAGUS-BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the barley and thyme, and cook, stirring, until the barley is just golden, about 2 minutes more.
• Transfer the barley mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker, and add the broth, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover, and cook on high until the liquid is absorbed and the barley is tender, about 3 hours.
• Discard the thyme, and stir in the asparagus. Return the lid to the pot, and cook until the asparagus is tender, 30 minutes more. Stir in the Parmesan, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Thin out the risotto to the desired consistency with warm water, as needed. Fold in the parsley and mint, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Cut top third of each asparagus stalk diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices, reserving tips and slices together, then coarsely chop remainder. Bring water (5 1/2 cups) and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan, then add chopped asparagus and cook, uncovered, until very tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a food processor (not a blender, which would require adding liquid).
• Add reserved asparagus tips and slices to boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to a sieve, reserving cooking liquid in pan, and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and reserve in another bowl.
• Measure cooking liquid and, if necessary, add enough water to bring total to 4 cups, then reserve.
• Cook onion with pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add barley and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add wine and boil, stirring, until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Add 4 cups reserved asparagus-cooking liquid and bring to a boil, covered, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until barley is tender (it should be chewy) and mixture is thickened to a stewlike consistency, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mince garlic and mash to a paste with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt using side of a large heavy knife, then add to asparagus in food processor along with zest and purée until smooth.
• When barley is cooked, stir in asparagus purée, asparagus-tip mixture, and enough additional water to thin to desired consistency and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until hot, about 1 minute. Stir in cheese, then season with salt and pepper. Serve with hazelnuts and additional cheese on the side.