RADICCHIO SALAD WITH CRUNCHY SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS AND BARLEY

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Radicchio Salad With Crunchy Shiitake Mushrooms and Barley image

A colorful grain salad is the perfect light meal. Here, barley adds heft and texture to a bitter leaf salad that's balanced with a sweet-tart dressing. The sleeper hit of this recipe are the crispy shiitake mushrooms, which impart deep flavor in two ways: They are pan-seared, and the caramelization left in the pan adds extra umami to the dressing. For gluten-free diets, you could substitute buckwheat groats or brown rice in place of the pearled barley.

Provided by Sue Li

Categories     dinner, lunch, weeknight, grains and rice, salads and dressings, vegetables, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup pearled barley, rinsed
1 medium yellow onion, halved
4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps thinly sliced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 large (12-ounce) head radicchio, core discarded and leaves torn into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup roughly chopped small fresh dill sprigs

Steps:

  • Combine barley, onion, garlic and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the barley by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high, then lower heat to medium-low and simmer until the grains are plump and tender, about 40 minutes. Drain the mixture, and discard the onion and garlic.
  • After barley has cooked about 30 minutes, prepare the mushrooms: Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and the ends are starting to curl and crisp, 9 to 10 minutes. Using a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the mushrooms to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt and pepper.
  • Return the skillet with the oil back to medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes; turn off the heat. While the oil is still hot, stir in balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper.
  • On a platter, layer the radicchio with cooked barley and drizzle with balsamic vinegar dressing. Top with reserved mushrooms, parsley and dill before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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