Description
Creamy Pearl Barley Vegetable Risotto brings Mediterranean comfort to your table with wholesome grains and garden-fresh ingredients. Rich textures and delicate herbs invite you to savor each comforting spoonful of this hearty Italian-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Vegetables:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) vine tomatoes
- 1 courgette, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Smoked paprika, to taste
- Dried thyme, to taste
Main Ingredients:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) pearl barley
- 200 milliliters (6.8 fluid ounces) white wine
- 1.2 liters (40.6 fluid ounces) boiling water
- 1 vegetable stock cube
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large shallot (or red onion), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (or dried)
Instructions
- Prepare a welcoming culinary environment by heating the oven to a toasty 200°C, creating an ideal roasting atmosphere for vibrant vegetables.
- Transform fresh tomatoes, courgette, and bell peppers into flavor-packed companions by generously coating them with olive oil, complementing their natural essence with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme. Carefully arrange them on a roasting tray and allow them to caramelize and intensify for approximately 30 minutes.
- Initiate the risotto foundation by gently melting vegan butter in a spacious pot, introducing finely chopped shallots to soften and become translucent. Enhance the aromatic profile by incorporating minced garlic, creating a fragrant base.
- Introduce pearl barley to the pot, carefully toasting the grains to unlock their nutty undertones and develop a rich, complex flavor.
- Deglaze the pot with white wine, allowing the liquid to dance and reduce, creating a sophisticated flavor backdrop. Incorporate dried thyme and methodically introduce vegetable stock, permitting each addition to be fully absorbed before adding the next, creating a creamy, luxurious texture.
- After approximately 30 minutes of patient stirring, integrate the roasted vegetables, gently crushing tomatoes to release their concentrated sweetness and distribute their essence throughout the risotto.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 15 minutes, ensuring the pearl barley reaches a tender, perfectly cooked consistency.
- Elevate the dish with a flourish of freshly chopped parsley, a final seasoning of salt and pepper, transforming the risotto into a vibrant, comforting culinary experience ready to be savored.
Notes
- Customize roasted vegetables by swapping ingredients based on seasonal availability or personal preference.
- Toast pearl barley before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and improve overall risotto texture.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even absorption of vegetable stock.
- Control liquid consistency by adding stock gradually, allowing each addition to absorb completely for creamy results.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 44 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg