Slow-cooker barley and pumpkin risotto
Barley imparts a lovely nutty flavour to risottos and holds its shape well. You can use any vegetables you have to hand, be it mushrooms, spinach or kumara.
Ingredients
Method
Ingredients
- 25 grams butter
- 2 leeks, finely sliced
- 1½ cups pearl barley
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 300 grams pumpkin, chopped into 1-2cm chunks
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock, heated
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Method
1. Melt the butter in a large frying pan and gently cook the leeks for 10 minutes or until just tender.
2. Add the barley and stir to coat with the butter. Increase the heat and pour over the white wine; allow to bubble for 1 minute.
3. Transfer the barley mixture to your slow cooker and add the pumpkin and stock. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours until barley is tender and stock absorbed.
4. Gently stir through the Parmesan cheese and serve with seasonal greens.
Tips:
- We love rocket as the seasonal green to top this dish with! It adds an extra flavour to the dish.
FAQs:
- What is the difference between barley and risotto?
- Barley has a nuttier flavour than risotto and barley risotto doesn't require multiple additions of liquid and constant stirring when cooking. It basically cooks like long grain rice, making it easier and some would say tastier!
- Is barley healthier than risotto?
- Replacing risotto rice with barley is a healthy option when you're looking for high fibre in your diet. However the two are very similar grains and have many similar health benefits.