Pearl barley, parsnip & sage risotto
Pearl barley makes a great alternative to rice in this vegetarian risotto recipe flavoured with sage, garlic and Parmesan
- 
                            
                            
                                Prep:5 mins 
 Cook:55 mins
 
- Serves 4
- Easy
Nutrition per serving
- 
                            kcal 629
- 
                            fat 12g
- 
                            saturates 6g
- 
                            carbs 107g
- 
                            sugars 14g
- 
                            fibre 13g
- 
                            protein 15g
- 
                            salt 1.2g
Ingredients
- 25g butter, plus an extra knob to stir through
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 parsnips, about 500g, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 10 sage leaves, shredded, plus extra to serve
- 400g pearl barley, rinsed
- 1.4l hot vegetable stock
- 25g Parmesan, grated, plus extra to serve
Method
- Heat the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, and cook gently for 5 mins. Tip in the parsnips, turn up the heat and cook for 8-10 mins, stirring every so often, until the parsnips are starting to brown and caramelise. 
- Add the garlic and sage, and mix through. Tip in the barley and stir to coat well. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 35-40 mins, or until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed and the pearl barley is tender but still has a bite. You may need to add a little extra boiling water. 
- Take off the heat, top with the Parmesan and a knob of butter, then leave to melt. Give the risotto a good stir, then spoon into dishes. Top with more sage, Parmesan and some black pepper. 
 
     
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                 
                    


 
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
            