SPEEDY BUTTERNUT SQUASH BARLEY 'RISOTTO'

Speedy butternut squash barley 'risotto' image

Swap rice for barley to make this easy squash 'risotto' with spinach and sage. It's healthy and low in calories and fat - perfect for a quick supper

Provided by Anna Glover

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil
1 large shallot or small onion, finely chopped
300g squash or pumpkin, cut into 1cm cubes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
small handful of sage leaves, finely chopped
½ tsp ground mace or a good grating of nutmeg
160g spinach leaves
2 x 400g cans barley in water, drained
300ml hot vegetable stock
40g parmesan or vegetarian alternative, finely grated

Steps:

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the shallot with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until soft. Add the squash, garlic, sage and mace, and fry, stirring continually, for another 6-8 mins until the squash is starting to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
Tip in the spinach and barley with some seasoning and the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 mins until the spinach has wilted. Add a splash more stock or water, if you like. When the 'risotto' is thick and creamy, taste to see if it needs a little more mace or nutmeg and seasoning. Stir in most of the parmesan, then top with the remaining parmesan and grind over some black pepper to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 336 calories, Fat 10 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 40 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 16 grams protein, Sodium 0.9 milligram of sodium