Toasted Barley And Asparagus "Risotto"

Serves: 6

Irma Bergnaum

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

56

Spice

51

Sweetness

52

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 cups

Pearl Barley

3 tbsps

Butter

Directions:

1

Cook asparagus in pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes

2

Drain

3

Transfer to bowl of ice water and cool

4

Drain

5

(Can be made 1 day ahead

6

Cover and refrigerate

7

) Stir barley in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes

8

Transfer barley to bowl

9

Melt butter in same saucepan over medium heat

10

Add onion and garlic; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes

11

Add barley and stir to coat

12

Add 2 cups broth; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes

13

Mix in 2 1/2 cups broth and simmer until absorbed, stirring frequently

14

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

15

Add tomatoes and asparagus; stir until heated through, about 3 minutes

16

Mix in cheese, arugula and lemon peel

17

Season with salt and pepper

18

Cook asparagus in pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes

19

Drain

20

Transfer to bowl of ice water and cool

21

Drain

22

(Can be made 1 day ahead

23

Cover and refrigerate

24

) Stir barley in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes

25

Transfer barley to bowl

26

Melt butter in same saucepan over medium heat

27

Add onion and garlic; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes

28

Add barley and stir to coat

29

Add 2 cups broth; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes

30

Mix in 2 1/2 cups broth and simmer until absorbed, stirring frequently

31

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

32

Add tomatoes and asparagus; stir until heated through, about 3 minutes

33

Mix in cheese, arugula and lemon peel

34

Season with salt and pepper