Best Slow Cooker Asparagus Barley Risotto Recipes

SHRIMP AND BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped fennel, garlic, rosemary and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fennel is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the barley until combined.
• Add the chicken broth and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the barley is tender but still a bit saucy, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Uncover and stir in the shrimp and peas. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted. Stir in the parmesan and 2 tablespoons fennel fronds; season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with the remaining fennel fronds.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring the stock to a simmer in a medium pot, and then set aside. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan and cook the shallots until soft, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the rice and stir until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the wine and simmer until reduced to almost dry. Ladle the stock into the rice slowly, stirring until it disappears each time. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the mascarpone and Parmigiano, stirring until well blended.
• Prepare a bowl of ice water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the asparagus tips and stems until al dente, and then dip in ice water for 2 to 3 seconds. Place the stems in a food processor and add the creme fraiche and lemon juice. Puree the mixture until thick and smooth. Saute the tips in the melted butter over medium-high heat until well coated, about 1 minute.
• To serve, place a small amount of puree into a bowl, spoon some risotto over, and garnish with asparagus heads and fresh melissa, hyssop and garlic. Sprinkle sea salt on top to taste.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH LIMA BEANS, ASPARAGUS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat grill. Using side burner or top of grill. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add 1/2 leeks and fennel and cook until soft. Add the thyme and barley and cook for 1 minute. Place the broth and saffron in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Begin by adding 2 cups of the stock and stir until the barley has absorbed the stock. Add the remaining leeks and fennel and 4 cups of the broth. Cook until barley is tender and the mixture is creamy, stirring often, about 30 minutes, during the last 10 minutes add the asparagus. If the mixture appears dry, add the remaining 1 cup of stock. Add the lima beans and spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

SAFFRON-AND-MUSHROOM BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook a chopped onion in olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add 1.5 cups pearled barley and cook, stirring until it's glossy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add a pinch of saffron, a splash of dry white wine and a handful of dried porcini mushrooms.
• Stir and let the liquid bubble away on medium heat.
• Add 4 cups hot vegetable stock, a cup at a time, stirring after each addition and waiting until the mixture is nearly dry before adding the next.
• Meanwhile, cook a handful of shiitake mushrooms in olive oil until lightly crisped; stir into the barley when it's done and serve garnished with parsley.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Combine the dried cepes and water in a saucepan. Simmer gently over medium heat until reduced to 6 cups, about 20 minutes. Drain through a sieve lined with cheesecloth, pouring the broth into a small saucepan. Finely chop the mushrooms and set aside. Keep the broth warm over low heat.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan. Add the fresh mushrooms. Saute over high heat until golden, but not soft, about 3 minutes. Take the mushrooms out of the pan and set aside. Add the shallots and garlic to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the wine. Increase the heat to medium high and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes. Add the barley and stir. Ladle in 1/2 cup of the hot broth and stir until all the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding 1/2 cup of broth at a time, stirring until absorbed, until the barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Add both the dried cepes and fresh mushrooms and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Beat in the Parmesan. Divide among 4 bowls, garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add in the asparagus, mushrooms, and garlic; cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the barley and stir to coat with oil.
• Add the thyme and wine and stir gently until the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed before each addition.
• Add salt and pepper to taste; simmer, stirring frequently, until creamy; serve immediately.

BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring broth to a simmer; keep hot., In another small saucepan over medium-high heat, cook and stir the barley for 2-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a small bowl. In the same saucepan, saute onion in oil for 2 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer or until onion is tender. Stir in barley and wine. Cook and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed. , Add hot broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until barley is almost tender (cooking time is about 45 minutes). Add the parsley and lemon zest; cook and stir until heated through. Serve immediately.

BARLEY RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Cut top third of each asparagus stalk diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices, reserving tips and slices together, then coarsely chop remainder. Bring water (5 1/2 cups) and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan, then add chopped asparagus and cook, uncovered, until very tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a food processor (not a blender, which would require adding liquid).
• Add reserved asparagus tips and slices to boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to a sieve, reserving cooking liquid in pan, and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and reserve in another bowl.
• Measure cooking liquid and, if necessary, add enough water to bring total to 4 cups, then reserve.
• Cook onion with pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add barley and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add wine and boil, stirring, until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Add 4 cups reserved asparagus-cooking liquid and bring to a boil, covered, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until barley is tender (it should be chewy) and mixture is thickened to a stewlike consistency, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mince garlic and mash to a paste with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt using side of a large heavy knife, then add to asparagus in food processor along with zest and purée until smooth.
• When barley is cooked, stir in asparagus purée, asparagus-tip mixture, and enough additional water to thin to desired consistency and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until hot, about 1 minute. Stir in cheese, then season with salt and pepper. Serve with hazelnuts and additional cheese on the side.