Barley is a great grain with lots of nutty flavor and a nice bite. We often see barley in soup, but it can be used for many dishes. This risotto takes advantage of this grain’s great taste and creamy texture when cooked using this method. Risotto is often thought of as a dish made with rice, but it is actually a cooking method. It seems hard at first, but it is not difficult. Just get a glass of your favorite beverage, stand and stir, and contemplate life for a few minutes. The extra effort is worth the trouble. This dish is a great example of adding lots of vegetables in a grain dish to decrease calories and boost fiber. This recipe comes complements of my friend Chef Ellen Clevenger-Firley – Thanks, Ellen!
Ingredients
- 6 cups mushroom, vegetable, or chicken broth
- 1½ cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup minced onion
- ½ cup red wine
- 3 cups sliced or coarse chopped mushrooms, any variety or combination
- 1½ cups uncooked barley, rinsed (do not use quick cooking)
- 6 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (omit to make this dish vegan)
- 1 tablespoon butter (omit to make this dish vegan)
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
- In a medium sauce pan, bring broth and water to a simmer.
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or large chef’s pan. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add red wine and cook until almost evaporated.
- Add the mushrooms and cook stirring often until they begin to release their juices.
- Add barley and cook for 1 minute.
- Add 1 cup of warm broth and stir continuously until almost all of the liquid is absorbed.
- Continue adding broth 1 cup at a time while stirring. Keep adding broth until barley is cooked through and tender (about 35-45 minutes). Add a bit more broth. Dish should be a bit loose at this point as it will continue to thicken.
- Stir in spinach and allow to wilt.
- Add more broth if the dish is too stiff.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar, cheese, and butter if using.
- Taste and add pepper and adjust seasoning if needed.
Nutrition Information per Serving
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Vegetables: 1 cup
- Fruits: 0 cups
- Calories: 314 calories
- Carbohydrates: 46 grams
- Fiber: 9 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Sodium: 450-700mg depending on broth selected (sodium will vary based on the broth you use)
Rate this recipe!
(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading...
This was very tasty! My hubby really loved it. However, the directions do not state when to add the balsamic vinegar. I assumed it was at the end as a finishing touch when the cheese and butter are added. You may want to fix that. Also, for clarity it would be helpful if the red wine was listed after the onion in the ingredient list as it is used in that order. Thank you Ellen for sharing this great recipe..
Hi Suzanne! Glad you and your husband enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for sharing your recipe suggestions – we’ve updated the recipe to address the points you raised. You add the balsamic vinegar at just the right point and now that is reflected in the written recipe. We hope you and your husband enjoy the recipe again sometime soon =-)