Easy Peasy Pea and Pearl Barley Risotto Recipe

This is such a simple and cheap dish, no one can say that healthy eating is a tough thing to do. The cooking time is just under an hour and it needs minimal attention as it will not stick to the pan like traditional risotto. You can get in from work, pop it on the hob and get changed out of your work clothes as the pearl barley is cooking. Easy. It also keeps well for reheating the next day so is also a good packed lunch option.

Ingredients pictured. Sometimes I add an onion, of whatever veg needs using. Today’s herb is thyme.

Pearl barley is a good source of dietary fibre, Is a good source of Vitamins B6 and B12, Manganese, Selenium and contains flavenoids (yes, really!). Go to town with trying different herb variations and different cheeses

Makes four large servings

2 tbsp (just under 30g) butter
500g pearl barley, rinsed under water
1 vegetable stock cube
200g frozen peas
250g mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed (optional)
Handful various chopped herbs, I like parsley, sage and thyme
150g mature cheddar cheese, grated

- Melt 1 tbsp butter in a big saucepan.
- Sauté the rinsed pearl barley to coat in butter for 2 – 3 minutes.
- Add crumbled stock cube to 600ml boiling water and pour over pearl barley.
- Cover and simmer on a medium heat for just over 30 minutes, top it up bit by bit with 800ml hot water until it’s all absorbed.
- When cooked, remove from heat and stir in the peas, cover and set aside for 10 minutes. Season with pepper. No salt is required thanks to the saltiness of the stock.
- As you’re doing this, sauté the garlic and mushrooms in the remaining butter.
- Stir through cheese and mushrooms to serve. You can use more herbs as a garnish.

You might have noticed the cheese and butter in the above recipe, it’s delicious. Part of good nutrition is enjoying your food, and we don’t do restrictive dieting at Griffen Fitness. If it worked, there would be no ‘diet’ industry. Eat well and get support and encouragement if you need it. Want to enjoy food and still lose weight? Drop us a line!