Asparagus Barley Pilaf Recipes

Steps:

• Cut top third of each asparagus stalk diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices, reserving tips and slices together, then coarsely chop remainder. Bring water (5 1/2 cups) and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan, then add chopped asparagus and cook, uncovered, until very tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a food processor (not a blender, which would require adding liquid).
• Add reserved asparagus tips and slices to boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to a sieve, reserving cooking liquid in pan, and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and reserve in another bowl.
• Measure cooking liquid and, if necessary, add enough water to bring total to 4 cups, then reserve.
• Cook onion with pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add barley and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add wine and boil, stirring, until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Add 4 cups reserved asparagus-cooking liquid and bring to a boil, covered, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until barley is tender (it should be chewy) and mixture is thickened to a stewlike consistency, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mince garlic and mash to a paste with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt using side of a large heavy knife, then add to asparagus in food processor along with zest and purée until smooth.
• When barley is cooked, stir in asparagus purée, asparagus-tip mixture, and enough additional water to thin to desired consistency and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until hot, about 1 minute. Stir in cheese, then season with salt and pepper. Serve with hazelnuts and additional cheese on the side.

Steps:

• Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks; season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden and almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Stir in cashews and cook 1 minute more. Transfer mixture to a plate.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil to pot. Stir in onions and jalapeño and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until onions are slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in barley and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute more. Add enough water to coconut milk to yield 2 cups liquid and add to pot. Bring liquid to a simmer, then cook, covered, over low heat until the barley is almost tender, about 40 minutes.
• Stir in corn. If mixture looks dry, stir in 1 1/4 cups more water; cover and cook until barley and corn are tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Return chicken mixture to pot and stir well. Fold in herbs and more salt to taste.

Steps:

• Bring three cups of the water to boil, add salt and wild rice. Lower heat and simmer, covered, for about 45 minutes or until water is absorbed.
• In another pot, bring the remaining water to boil and add barley. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until tender.
• Drain the cranberries.
• Mix together the rice, barley, cranberries, pine nuts, oil and lemon. Season with thyme, salt, and 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.