Barley risotto with mushroom and spinach is a great alternative to the traditional arborio rice risotto. Those 2 grains are quite similar in texture, although the barley is higher in fiber and lower in calories. In other words, it’s a bit healthier to eat your risotto with barley instead of rice. The coccion process is exactly the same as with the normal risotto. Simply need to lightly fry at first for the barley.
Talking mushrooms… 
As a kid, like many I suppose, I wasn’t a fan of mushrooms… mostly its texture. I wasn’t eating them, simply because I disliked the chewy, and rubbery texture they had. Later on, in college, I went to a restaurant, where they would fry half dehydrated big portobello mushroom with salt and garlic, and my mushroom scepticism magically disappeared! Not only it tasted way better, but the chewy texture was gone. So until today, I try to reproduce this texture when I use mushrooms, as a result, I often make mushrooms in the oven with just a little oil, salt and thyme. This way, it makes it lose all it’s water evaporate slowly and uniformly and gives it a bolder flavor and a much firmer texture. Plus, it needs way less oil to cook them this way.
I highly suggest for this recipe to cook the mushrooms apart in an oven tray, you simply have to add the mushroom when the risotto is ready in step 8. They both take about 20 minutes to cook, so it’s easy to synchronize. You’ll see they will taste sharper and feel better than those chewy versions. Also if you are not feeling like the big clean up session, you can always simply add the mushrooms at step 3. But then, I suggest adding oil, because they are quite little sponges those vegetables!
So let’s make this healthier risotto version!
Barley risotto with mushroom and spinach
Makes 3 portions
Ingredients
- 250g pearled barley
- 1 onions finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 700ml of prewarmed vegetable broth
- 100ml of white wine (or apple cider)
- 300g of spinach
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 30g parmesan *if vegetarian use a vegetarian version
- salt, pepper
The mushrooms
- 20 button mushrooms sliced and washed
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- thyme branches
- salt
Directions
Bring the oven to 180°C (350F)
- Start by making the mushrooms, mix all the ingredients in a bowl, add to baking sheet and let cook 20 minute at 180°C (350F)
- In a big deep pan, soften the onion, medium high heat in olive oil (add little salt, helps to release the juice from the onion)
- When translucent, add the garlic and the barley, let it fry in oil for a few minute, while mixing
- When the barley is lightly toasted, add the wine (always moving with a spatula)
- Then the warm broth to barely cover the barley, mix until no more broth and repeat
- Cook for about 15 minutes, add the spinach
- Cook another 5 minutes until al dente, adding little broth, when it get’s too dry, and mixing well
- Stop the fire, add the mushrooms and the parmesan, salt and pepper, mix
- Cover for a minute or two until all the liquid get absorbed
Serve with a few scallions on top. Enjoy!
9 Comments
Pingback: Barley risotto with mushroom and spinach | My Meals are on Wheels
I love pearled barley but I haven’t had it in ages, thanks for the reminder and the great recipe!
Glad to bring back the good stuff
Yes, roasting mushrooms is a million times better! I’ve been trying to convince my mom to stop steaming them 😒 it makes them so rubbery! Barley is one of my favourite grains and this looks like it has a really similar texture to risotto – everything is perfect about this dish, and I love the accessible ingredient list.
glad you like it!
Barley makes a perfect risotto. I did one with farro, because I wanted to save my barley post for soup, but barley is a great choice. And somehow, mushrooms just love barley! Looks delicious.
Thanks!
This looks so fantastic, Marie. I love me some risotto, especially with mushrooms. I’m going to have to make this, and SOON.
Glad you like it!