Best 7 Barley And Asparagus Pilaf Recipes

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Indulge in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures with barley and asparagus pilaf, a wholesome dish that combines the nutty goodness of barley with the vibrant freshness of asparagus. This versatile recipe offers three delightful variations to cater to diverse palates. Embark on a culinary journey with the classic barley and asparagus pilaf, a timeless combination that showcases the natural flavors of these ingredients. For a more indulgent experience, try the creamy barley and asparagus pilaf, where a rich and velvety sauce envelops the barley and asparagus, creating a luscious dish that is perfect for special occasions. And for those seeking a meaty twist, the barley, asparagus, and chicken pilaf brings together tender chicken, aromatic spices, and the vibrant flavors of barley and asparagus, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal. No matter your preference, these barley and asparagus pilaf recipes promise a delightful culinary experience that will leave you craving for more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

BARLEY AND ASPARAGUS



Barley and Asparagus image

Combine grains and vegetables into one super side dish! Serve it alongside any meaty main course.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 1/2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 medium carrot, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley
8 oz asparagus (8 to 10 stalks), cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram or thyme leaves
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In 2-quart saucepan, heat broth over medium heat until hot.
  • In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion and carrot in oil 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Stir in barley. Cook and stir 1 minute.
  • Pour 1 cup of the hot broth over barley mixture. Cook uncovered about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed. Stir in asparagus. Continue cooking 15 to 20 minutes, adding broth 1 cup at a time and stirring frequently, until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed; remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 5 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 460 mg, Sugar 2 g, TransFat 0 g

BARLEY AND HERB SALAD WITH ROASTED ASPARAGUS



Barley and Herb Salad With Roasted Asparagus image

When fat stalks of asparagus come into the markets, what better thing to do with them than roast or grill them? What's more, the California chef and teacher John Ash, demonstrating a recipe at the recent "Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives" conference at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley - an event that bridges health care, nutrition science and cooking - insists that not only does asparagus taste better when it's not cooked in or near water, but also that it doesn't cause that distinctive odor in urine many people experience after eating it. I can't vouch for the latter claim, but asparagus is intensely delicious when you roast it And it's a beautiful addition to this lemony mix of barley and herbs. For the herbs, I like to mix sweet (tarragon, chives) with bitter (parsley, marjoram, thyme). Cooked barley will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator and can be frozen. The dressed grains will be good for 2 to 3 days.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield Serves 4 as a main dish salad, 6 as a side

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup barley
3 cups water
Salt, preferably kosher salt, to taste
1 pound thick-stemmed asparagus
2 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, marjoram, chives, tarragon and thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 small garlic clove, puréed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard or 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil
Lemon wedges or sliced lemon for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat a 3- quart saucepan over medium-high heat and add barley. Toast in the pan, shaking pan or stirring grains until they begin to smell a little bit like popcorn. Add water and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste (I suggest 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon for 1 cup barley), reduce heat, cover and simmer 45 to 50 minutes, until barley is tender (it will always be chewy). Drain off any liquid remaining in the pot through a strainer (set it over a bowl if you think you might want to use the barley water in a stock or risotto - it'll keep for a day in the refrigerator). Shake strainer and return barley to the pot. Cover pot with a clean dishtowel and return the lid. Allow barley to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, roast asparagus and make dressing. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Snap off woody ends of the asparagus and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Add olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and toss together until all of the asparagus is coated with oil (I do this with my hands). Make sure that asparagus is in one layer on the baking sheet in the pan and place in oven. Roast for about 12 minutes, or until tender and beginning to shrivel. It should be browned in spots. Remove from heat.
  • Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, salt, lemon zest, garlic, and mustard. Whisk in olive oil.
  • Transfer cooked barley to a large bowl. Add herbs and vinaigrette and toss together until barley is evenly coated with dressing. Arrange on a platter or on plates. Lay stalks of roasted asparagus on over the top, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 449, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 895 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

VEGETABLE AND BARLEY PILAF



Vegetable and Barley Pilaf image

Hearty, colorful, easy and fast were the reviews we gave this good-for-you dish. Barley has a healthy amount of soluble fiber, which aids digestion. And it can help to lower cholesterol, too! You can easily substitute other fresh veggies you have on hand. -Jesse Klausmeier, Burbank, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 large zucchini, quartered and sliced
1 large carrot, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup quick-cooking barley
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, saute zucchini and carrot in butter until crisp-tender. Add broth; bring to a boil. Stir in barley. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until barley is tender, 10-12 minutes., Stir in the onions, marjoram, salt and pepper. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 480mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 10g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

BARLEY PILAF



Barley Pilaf image

This rice alternative is good with roasted chicken or fish.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup pearl barley
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • In a large pot of boilingsalted water, cook pearl barley until tender but stillal dente, about 35 minutes. Drain in a fine-mesh sieveand rinse with cool water to stop the cooking.
  • In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium-high. Add shallot, minced, and season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes; add barley and stir to combine. Transfer barley mixture to a largebowl and stir in toasted pine nuts, finely chopped fresh parsley, and freshlemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 298 g, Fat 12 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 7 g

BARLEY PILAF



Barley Pilaf image

Barley can be found in two forms-hulled and pearled. Pearling removes almost a third of the grain, making it quicker cooking and reducing some nutrients. Hulled barley takes longer to cook but has a higher nutrient content and a pleasant, toothsome chewiness. This pilaf recipe is a simple way to enjoy hulled barley.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup hulled barley
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt
1/2 cup small pieces of broken spaghetti (about 2 ounces)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the barley and stir until the grains are just coated in butter. Add the broth and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and quickly stir in the spaghetti; cover and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and the barley and spaghetti are tender, stirring once more, about 15 minutes more. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calorie, Fat 5 grams, SaturatedFat 2.5 grams, Cholesterol 10 milligrams, Sodium 290 milligrams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 2 grams

MINTED BARLEY PILAF



Minted Barley Pilaf image

Served warm or cold, this is a flavorful side dish with chewy barley and tender crisp carrots.

Provided by BigShotsMom

Categories     Side Dish     Grain Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 pinch salt
1 cup pearl barley
1 ½ cups chicken stock
¾ cup water
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried sage
5 large fresh mint leaves, chopped, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and salt; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add barley and mix to coat with oil; cook and stir until barley is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir chicken stock, water, thyme, and sage into barley mixture. Cover pot and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes. Remove pot from heat and stir mint into barley pilaf. Cover pot and allow flavors to blend, 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 173.7 calories, Carbohydrate 29.3 g, Cholesterol 0.2 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 213.3 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

BARLEY AND RICE PILAF



Barley and Rice Pilaf image

If you're tired of potatoes, try this quick-and-easy pilaf for a change of taste. "I put it together while trying to use up left-over rice," writes Marilyn Bazant of Albuquerque, New Mexico. "I've experimented with many variations, such as adding broccoli florets and asparagus."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 cups cooked long grain rice
1 cup cooked medium pearl barley
2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute the celery, red pepper, onions and garlic in oil until crisp-tender. Stir in the rice, barley, bacon, salt and pepper; cook and stir until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 187 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 236mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your pilaf. Look for tender asparagus, plump barley, and flavorful stock.
  • Cook the barley correctly: Barley should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite. If you overcook it, it will become mushy.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the barley and vegetables, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the ingredients from cooking evenly.
  • Add the asparagus at the end: Asparagus cooks quickly, so add it to the pilaf towards the end of the cooking time. This will help it retain its bright green color and crisp texture.
  • Season to taste: Once the pilaf is cooked, season it to taste with salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings.

Conclusion:

Barley and asparagus pilaf is a delicious, healthy, and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover barley, and it is also a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknight meals. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy dish that is both delicious and nutritious, give this barley and asparagus pilaf a try.

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