Warm Acorn Squash And Barley Salad Recipes

SQUASH & BARLEY SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Place the squash on a baking tray and toss with olive oil. Roast for 20 mins. Meanwhile, boil the barley for about 25 mins in salted water until tender, but al dente. While this is happening, whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Drain the barley, then tip it into a bowl and pour over the dressing. Mix well and let it cool.
• Boil the broccoli in salted water until just tender, then drain and rinse in cold water. Drain and pat dry. Add the broccoli and remaining ingredients to the barley and mix well. This will keep for 3 days in the fridge and is delicious warm or cold.

WARM LENTIL AND ACORN SQUASH SALAD WITH YOGURT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the salad: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Using a sharp knife, cut the squash halves into 1-inch cubes, leaving the skin intact. Add to a bowl and toss with 3 generous tablespoons of the olive oil, the thyme and season with salt and black pepper. Transfer to a large baking sheet. Roast the squash until fork tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.
• Add 3 cups water, the lentils, onions, garlic, lemon slices, bay leaf, red pepper flakes and some black pepper to a medium saucepot. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt. Remove from the heat and drain. Discard the onions, lemons and bay leaf. Put the lentils in a large glass mixing bowl, toss with a scant tablespoon olive oil and set aside.
• For the caramelized onions: Meanwhile, place a large saute pan over high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until starting to color, about 30 seconds. Reduce the heat to low. Caramelize, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes; the onions should be tacky and deep golden brown. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• For the yogurt vinaigrette: In a large glass mixing bowl, whisk the white wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, mint, cilantro and scallions together until incorporated. Drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until smooth, about a minute. Add the yogurt and continue whisking until creamy, an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready for use, or up to 3 days.
• To serve: When the squash is cool enough to handle, transfer to bowl with the lentils. Drizzle in the yogurt vinaigrette and toss to coat completely. Spoon into a large serving dish and garnish with the caramelized onions.

BARLEY SALAD WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• In a heavy 2 to 3 quart saucepan heat the vegetable oil; add the barley and cook the grain, stirring constantly, until it smells toasty. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Averting your face, add the water (it will bubble up furiously) Return the saucepan to the heat, cover and cook for about 2O to 25 minutes or until barley has absorbed the liquid and is just tender. Transfer the barley to a sieve and drain under cold water; pat dry and set aside.
• During the time it takes to cook the barley, peel, halve and seed the cucumbers and cut them into 1/2 inch half moons. Halve and seed the zucchini and yellow squash, cut them into 1/2 inch half moons and parboil them for a minute, drain and pat dry.
• In the bottom of a mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, vinegar and dill; season well with salt and pepper. To the dressing add the cooked barley, cucumbers and squash and toss well; adjust the seasoning.
• On the outside edge of a serving platter, make a ring of drained sliced pickled beets. Pile the barley salad in the middle and center some watercress leaves in the middle of the salad.

BARLEY SALAD WITH SQUASH AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss squash with 2 teaspoons oil and season with salt and pepper; arrange in a single layer. On another rimmed baking sheet, toss broccoli with 2 teaspoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Place squash on top rack and broccoli on bottom rack and roast until tender, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut squash slices in half.
• Meanwhile, cook barley according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons oil, lemon juice, and shallot; season with salt and pepper. Add squash, broccoli, barley, almonds, and raisins. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve topped with Parmesan.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE ROUNDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove stem and tip end of squash; halve lengthwise. Remove seeds. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, vinegar, and rosemary, tossing to coat; season with salt and pepper. Spread squash in a single layer; roast, turning once halfway, until tender and golden brown around edges, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Meanwhile, combine breadcrumbs, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Roll goat cheese rounds in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to coat well; transfer to another parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until chilled.
• Just before serving, transfer goat cheese rounds to oven; bake until cheese is just warm but doesn't lose its shape, 4 to 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine greens with 1/2 cup vinaigrette, tossing to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Mound greens on plates, and top with squash slices and goat cheese; serve immediately.

WARM ACORN SQUASH AND BARLEY SALAD

Steps:

• To make the glaze, bring ½ cup unsweetened pomegranate juice, ½ a cup of stock and 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until the glaze reduces in quantity by almost half and coats the back of a spoon. Set aside.
• Preheat the grill to medium high. Brush the squash rings lightly with olive oil and place on grill. Lower the lid and cook about 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove squash from grill, dip it into glaze, and place it back onto the grill to caramelize. Remove the rings when they are golden brown on the edges and soft to the touch. Do not over cook!
• Alternately, reserve 6 rings of the squash. Peel and dice the remaining squash and roast the rings and the pieces in a 375º F oven for 20 to 30 minutes, basting with a bit of the glaze after 15 minutes, till the squash is JUST tender.
• For the barley, bring remaining pomegranate juice, sugar, and stock to a boil. Stir in the barley. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until barley is tender (about 40 minutes, or as stated on package directions).
• Peel skins from 4 rounds of squash. Dice and add to barley. (Or, add the diced roasted pieces to the barley) Toss with the orange zest and currants or cranberries, and a bit of the remaining glaze.
• To serve, arrange remaining squash rings onto plates, scoop warm barley salad onto rings. Garnish with toasted macadamia nuts, chives, and cracked pepper, and a drizzle of fruity olive oil, if desired.