Barley Casserole

[keljonma]

Barley Casserole

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
2 onions, peeled & chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled & chopped
2 pounds leeks, cleaned well & chopped into 1" lengths
1/2 pound carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 1/2 cups pearl barley
3 cups stock or water
salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Lightly saute veggies in butter or oil. Add barley, stock or water and potatoes. Cook until potatoes and barley are done and moisture absorbed. Add fresh parsley for last 10 minutes. If using dried parsley, may be added with potatoes. Serves 4.

 

[sylvie]

I made this and it was very good. The recipe serves 4 but I halved it for the two of us and the portions were perfect. Excellent recipe!

I also lightly toast barley in a cast iron pan and eat it like popcorn as I watch DVDs, too.

 

[keljonma]

Thanks, sylvie! It's one of our favorites.

The original recipe gets us each 2 dinners, so that is what I make. I usually double or triple the recipe if I'm taking it to a pot luck dinner.

If I don't have leeks, I substitute green onions or add more yellow or white onions.

I think this would also be good cooked on a cook or heat stove.

I love the idea of toasting the barley to eat like popcorn. I have a glass top electric stove, and the manufacturer recommends not using cast iron on it.

 

[annmarie]

You're cooking this on the stovetop? Covered or uncovered?

 

[keljonma]

You're cooking this on the stovetop? Covered or uncovered?

I'm not, but the book I got the basic "cooking barley" recipe from said it could be - covered.

 

[hoosier]

Thanks for this recipe. I wil try it when I harvest leeks. They are very expensive around here when you can even find them.

 

[prairiegirl]

If I don't have leeks, I substitute green onions or add more yellow or white onions.

I just popped in to ask this very question and here you have the answer keljonma. Thanks

I hope to try this soon.

 

[me&thegals]

I bought barley to try this recipe. Planning to substitute onions for the leeks. Thanks for the recipe! Sounds very healthy and tasty!