Pearl Barley Butternut Squash And Sage Risotto Recipes

PEARL BARLEY, BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add 25g/1oz of the butter and, once melted, add the onion and squash along with a pinch of salt. Gently fry for 10 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the squash is softening. Add the garlic and continue to cook for two minutes, or until aromatic.
• In a separate pan, warm the stock and half of the sage leaves.
• Add 25g/1oz of the butter to the onion and squash and, once melted, add the pearl barley. Turn up the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn down the heat to medium and add a ladleful of warm stock. Stir well to mix and, once absorbed, add another ladleful, stirring now and again. Repeat this process until the stock is used up and the pearl barley is tender (about 30 minutes).
• Once the barley is tender, taste and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the remaining butter to the pan and stir through.
• Serve the risotto garnished with the remaining sage.

SPEEDY BUTTERNUT SQUASH BARLEY 'RISOTTO'

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the shallot with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until soft. Add the squash, garlic, sage and mace, and fry, stirring continually, for another 6-8 mins until the squash is starting to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
• Tip in the spinach and barley with some seasoning and the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 mins until the spinach has wilted. Add a splash more stock or water, if you like. When the 'risotto' is thick and creamy, taste to see if it needs a little more mace or nutmeg and seasoning. Stir in most of the parmesan, then top with the remaining parmesan and grind over some black pepper to serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low.
• Heat oil in a medium sized pot over medium heat.
• Add onion and sauté until tender.
• Add squash and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add barley and stir for 2 more minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of the boiled broth, and chopped sage. Simmer, stirring often until broth is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining broth slowly, about 1/3 cup at a time, allowing it to be absorbed each time.
• Cook barley until tender but still firm, about 35-40 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

CREAMY BARLEY & SQUASH RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large shallow saucepan. Add the onion and squash, and cook very gently, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the squash is starting to soften, about 10 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Splash in the white wine and boil down. Add the barley, give it a stir and pour in the stock.
• Gently simmer for 45 mins, stirring occasionally, until all the stock has been absorbed and the barley is tender. Add a little extra stock during cooking if it evaporates too quickly. Turn off the heat and stir through the mascarpone, half the Parmesan and all the parsley, then season. Spoon into bowls and scatter with the remaining Parmesan.