Mushroom Barley Risotto

Courtesy of Mushroom Council

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 Min.
Cook Time: 45 Min.

* 4 c. fat-free chicken or vegetable broth
* 2 Tbsp. olive oil
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 3/4 c. pearl barley, sorted and rinsed
* 1/3 c. dry white wine
* 1/2 lb. Portabella or white button mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
* 2 Tbsp. chopped shallots
* 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
* Salt and freshly ground pepper
* 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Cover the pan and turn off the heat.
2. Heat 1 Tbsp. of the olive oil in a deep skillet over a medium flame. Add the onion and sauté until soft. Reduce the heat to low. Add the barley and stir it to coat with oil. Add the wine and cook, stirring, until wine is absorbed. Add the hot broth, 1/2 c. at a time, stirring frequently and adding 1/2 c. more of broth each time the previous addition is almost absorbed. This should take about 30 minutes. (You may have a little broth left over.) If the barley is not yet tender and all the broth is gone, add a little water and cook until it is tender.
3. Put remaining 1 Tbsp. of the olive oil in a skillet over a medium-high flame. Add the mushrooms and shallots and sauté until mushrooms are golden and shallots are soft, about 5 min. (If the mixture begins to stick, remove the skillet from the flame and spray the mushrooms with nonstick cooking spray. Return the skillet to the heat and cook until the mushrooms are golden and shallots are soft.)
4. Stir the mushroom mixture and basil into the barley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe and photos courtesy of the Mushroom Council and mushroominfo.com

Calories: 257;   Total Fat: 8g;   Saturated Fat: 2g;   Cholesterol: 3mg;   Total Carbs: 36g;   Fiber: 2g;   Protein: 8g;