This Cheesy Vegetarian Barley Risotto recipe, rich with mushrooms and sugar snap peas, is a great quick option for any meal. Thanks to Kerrygold Cheese for helping me to share this recipe with you.
Moments of inspiration strike you when you least expect it. For me, those moments usually sneak up on me when I am feeling satisfied...in good company and with a full belly. The weekend at The Big Traveling Potluck was rich with such moments. This event is most easily described as a food blogging conference, but it is different than other conferences in many ways.
Maggy Keet and Pam Anderson of Three Many Cooks, and Erika of Ivory Hut (and their incredible team) are the heart, minds and palates behind The Big Potluck conferences (one easy coast, one west coast). The three of them understand that these weekends are about camaraderie, sharing stories and ideas and good food. Let's not forget the food!
Food blogging can be a solitary pursuit, snapping photos in one's kitchen and living room (that's me) and sitting in front of a computer for hours each day. While strong connections are often made with other food bloggers through online forums and social media, there is something really special about connecting with each other face-to-face, sharing stories of personal struggles and victories, and trading tricks of the trade.
Before diving into the recipe (and it is a good one, trust me), I want to share some of the photos from the weekend. There were so many more wonderful moments than what I captured here, but here's a taste.
Chris of La Peche loading us up with Kerrygold Cheese snacks and Maggy of Three Many Cooks, the consummate host
Diving in to breakfast and learning from Aran of Cannelle et Vanille.
Ashley of Edible Perspective and Tessa of Handle the Heat checking out the amazing Kitchen Aid ice cream bar, all handmade by Sharon of Three Many Cooks
Beautiful flower arrangements everywhere and copious amounts of Kerrygold cheese (heaven!)
Brian of A Thought for Food and me, and wearing my OXO tools on my arm
Sara of Go Gingham doing what bloggers do best
Megan of Country Cleaver topping off her salad
Left to right: Maggy of Three Many Cooks, Erika of Ivory Hut and Ashley of Not Without Salt
The recipe:
There are already of list of vegetarian recipes in our family's repertoire that have become our favorites, such as this slow cooker recipe and this easy rice bowl. Now this quick barley risotto is going to take its own place of honor in the rotation.
I hear you saying, "This isn't really risotto. Risotto can't be quick and it doesn't use barley." You're absolutely right.
Typically, risotto is made with arborio rice and is diligently stirred for half an hour or so, gradually adding small ladlefuls of broth. Yeah, I cheated. But the result was just as satisfying!
Barley is a powerhouse of fiber and protein, which makes it a healthier option than arborio rice. To make this recipe a better option for a weeknight, I used quick-cooking barley. Trader Joe's makes a great 10-minute barley, but there are other brands available in supermarkets.
While most risotto recipes use chicken broth, I used a low-sodium vegetable broth to make this into a vegetarian dinner option. And I made a risotto faux-pas...I added all of the broth at once and simmered until the barley was tender.
Risotto just isn't the same without a good handful of cheese added at the end. Instead of the traditional Parmesan, I grated some Kerrygold Dubliner cheese. That was a decision I will never regret! If you are a lover of Kerrygold's Dubliner, you know what I'm talking about. The flavor is a mixture of nutty, sharp and sweet, and the texture allows it to melt beautifully into the toothy barley, blending perfectly with the sauteed mushrooms and sugar snap peas.
There is a reason that Kerrygold cheeses and butters are so good. The cows that provide the milk for the products are grass-fed, which means that the milk is high in beta-carotene, which is why Kerrygold products have that distinctive rich golden color. And the flavor says it all.
If you'd like to find out more about Kerrygold Cheeses and Butters, and to find out where they are sold, head to their website.
Other vegetarian recipes:
Grilled Vegetable Wrap with Hummus
Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Cheese & Breadcrumb Topping
Quick Vegetarian Barley Risotto Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil divided
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms stems removed & thinly sliced
- 4 ounces crimini mushrooms thinly sliced
- 8 ounces sugar snap peas trimmed & cut in half (about 1 ½ cups)
- ¼ cup chopped shallots
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 ⅓ cup quick-cooking barley
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
- ⅓ cup grated Kerrygold Dubliner cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the shiitake and crimini mushrooms and cook until tender and just starting to brown, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the sugar snap peas and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl.
- Using the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the shallots and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the barley and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for 15 seconds.
- Add the vegetable broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer until the barley is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
- Remove the barley from the heat, and stir in the Kerrygold cheese, mushrooms and sugar snap peas. Season to taste and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: Kerrygold Cheese sponsored this post, and sponsored me to go to The Big Traveling Potluck. All opinions are my own. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
Gorgeous recipe Dara! The weekend looked fantastic! I have attend all of these on the East Coast and look forward to it again this year. Pam, Erika and Maggie do such a great job!!
Carol at Wild Goose Teaa
I am in heaven with your selection of mushrooms and the brand of cheese that you used. Since I am waiting for a take out lunch to be delivered to my desk right now, you know that I am salivating. Oh yeah--snap peas---yum.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
The Summer Potluck in PA is right in my hometown and I always want to go! But I'm basically the most socially awkward person on this Earth. Although maybe I will, it looks like you had a blast! And came home with inspiration to make this dish. Woah. I have to have it! Risotto is my favorite but this one? It will top all other risottos!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
Great idea to make a risotto with barley. Definitely one to try!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg
I like this recipe. Pinning. I know my hubs and I will enjoy this. Thank you!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Such a great recap!! So glad we finally met! xoxo
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Lauren! I can't tell you how happy I am that we finally got to meet. You are as down-to-earth and sweet as I imagined.
Letty
Love this recipe. Risotto--barley's toothsome quality--with mushrooms and Dubliner--what more do I crave? There's a 2# block of Dubliner whittling away in my fridge right now! So happy we finally met and hope to see you again soon. Perfect photo of Chris giving you the eye. 😉
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Letty! A 2-pound block of Dulbiner?! Well, that sounds like a little piece of heaven to me.
Diane {Created by Diane}
mmm...I love risotto and this looks wonderful. It was great seeing you at the pot luck!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Diane. It was wonderful to see you, too!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Love these photos of your trip! I can't wait to go to Big Traveling Potluck. Hopefully next year!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Liz! I'd love to see you there next year.
Christine from Cook the Story
Dubliner cheese is AMAZING! I bet it added all sorts of yum to your risotto!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
"Amazing" is the right word. Dubliner is one of my favorites and it add a wonderful nuttiness to the barley risotto.
Rachel Cooks
Looks like such an amazing time -- and this risotto! Wow! Loving it.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Rachel. The weekend was wonderful and the risotto is definitely something that we'll be making over and over again.
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
What a great recap of the BTP! Loved getting to meet you Dara.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Meagan! It was fantastic to meet you, too.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
I REALLY want to go to the travelling potluck when it comes to the East! It looks so fun! And this barley risotto is so perfect for meatless Monday! LOVE all that cheese! Pinned!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
It's a fantastic event, Taylor. You should definitely try to hit the east coast one in September. Thanks for the pin on the barley risotto!