Barley with Mushrooms and Onions

I’ve been thinking a lot about family recipes. I realized that, not only am I keeping certain recipes alive, but I’m also creating new ones for the next generation. Now that my kids are getting older, I wonder which they will remember and want to make. This recipe for Barley with Mushrooms and Onions is a highly likely candidate for their list.

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I have made this recipe so many times over the years that my family refers to it as ‘Kit Rice’

This recipe – which contains no rice, by the way – was originally introduced to me by a woman for whom I used to cook. When I was in my early 20’s I had a job as a cook in a private household. It was far and away the coolest job I’ve ever had. The matriarch of the family gave me one of her favorite ‘go-to’ cookbooks as a gift, The California Heritage Cookbook. This recipe is from that book. In fact, my copy will fall open to this recipe if you simply drop it.

Do you need a delicious go-to side dish? Barley it is!

Barley with Mushrooms and Onions goes perfectly with grilled meat, or roasted veggies. It is also a nice change from other grains. This barley is ‘rib-sticking’ comfort food that is the perfect ‘supporting actor’ on any plate.  I’ve also served it with eggs as leftovers. It could even be made into patties and fried, or re-purposed as a hash on Day 2. Dress it up for a fancy dinner or dress it down for a picnic.

Give it a try and let us know what you think. Does it make your kid’s future family recipe list?

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Barley with Mushrooms and Onions (Barley Casserole)

Course: Dinner, Easy, Holiday, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food, Fall, Family Recipes, Vegan

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 267 kcal

Author: Kit

This hearty rice-like side dish pairs well with grilled meat. It can also be made ahead.

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Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 2 medium onions chopped
• ¾ pound fresh mushrooms trimmed and sliced
• 1 ½ cups barley
• 2 cups chicken, beef or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ cup parsley chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.

2. Melt the butter in a 8-10" skillet over medium heat.

3. Stir in the onion. Saute 5 minutes.

4. Add in the mushrooms. Saute another 5 minutes - until the onions are golden and the mushrooms tender.

   
   

5. Add the barley and cook, stirring occasionally until the barley is light brown (5-10 minutes).

6. Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 2 quart casserole dish. Add the broth, salt, cayenne and parsley. 

7. Cover and bake for 50 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

Recipe Notes

This recipe originally appeared in The California Heritage Cookbook (now out of print). 

This dish works out best when prepared in a casserole dish with a lid.

Vegan Adaption: Use vegan butter substitute and vegetable broth. 

Nutrition Facts

Barley with Mushrooms and Onions (Barley Casserole)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 267 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 32mg 11%

Sodium 487mg 20%

Potassium 415mg 12%

Total Carbohydrates 31g 10%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 3g

Protein 7g 14%

Vitamin A 13.8%

Vitamin C 9.7%

Calcium 2.9%

Iron 10.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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