Barley Spinach and Mushrooms – Seasoned cooked barley stirred into sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and white beans, finished with parmesan cheese with a hint of balsamic.Winter, you fickle, fickle season. You skipped us during your regularly scheduled time and show up in May. Sure, a little rain is acceptable in May, but it’s like someone did a rain dance, recorded it, and is playing it on repeat. But that is all I will say (i.e. complain) about it because we actually need the rain.
Moving on…
It’s chilly outside. A summery salad wasn’t sounding quite right. On a whim, I picked up some barley a couple of weeks ago and now seemed the right time to make a more hearty, warming dish.
It could be 90 degrees outside and I’d eat this all over again. I forgot how much I love barley. I rarely eat it outside soup. I wanted to just make it like I would rice and it worked perfectly. Don’t worry rice, you’re not going to be replaced, but you do have minor cause to worry.
Tossing it with beans was to amp up the protein and I simply adore mushrooms and spinach together. A small drizzle of balsamic and some parmesan cheese and I was one seriously happy camper…in my living room, under a blanket, with the heater on and nice big(ish) bowl of Barley Spinach and Mushrooms.
Regardless of the time of year, you can’t go wrong this Barley Spinach and Mushrooms dish. I know its rare that I make a meatless entry, but for all my vegetarian friends (and for you vegans, omit the parm and you’re in business–and make sure you use veggie broth), I wanted you to feel some love from TCS.
Barley, Spinach, and Mushrooms
Ingredients
Barley
- 1 cup uncooked barley
- 1-15 oz can broth
- 1 cup , 1 oz water
- Pinch of thyme
Veggies
- 8 oz mushrooms
- 1-15 oz can white beans; do not drain
- 1/2 cup caramelized onions
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves; minced/grated
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/8-1/4 tsp salt and pepper; to taste
- 1/4-1/2 cup parmesan cheese (omit to make vegan)
- 2 cups spinach
Instructions
Barley
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In a large sauce pan, bring the barley, broth, water, and thyme to a boil.
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Once boiling, stir well, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 50-60 minutes.
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Fluff with fork once cooked.
Vegetables
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Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
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Once hot, add the mushrooms and garlic; cook for 2 minutes.
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Add the caramelized onions, mix well.
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Add 1/4 tsp salt and pepper and the thyme.
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Reduce heat to medium.
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Once the mushrooms have cooked down, add in the barley, stir well.
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Then add in the beans, do not drain or rinse them; stir gently.
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Add the balsamic vinegar.
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Once the beans have heated through and are hot, remove from heat and wilt in the spinach.
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After the spinach has wilted in, add the parmesan cheese to the desired amount.
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Serve and Enjoy.
27 Comments
Sara
May 20, 2015 at 12:31 amI love barley, it’s such an underutilized grain. I totally want to make this soon!
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:13 amI agree with you Sara, it is underutilized.
Florian @ContentednessCooking
May 20, 2015 at 1:59 amThis dish is just in time for summer! I love all the ingredients so vibrant and colorful and your pictures are beautiful!!
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:13 amThank you Florian, you are kind to compliment my pictures, I still have so much to learn in that area.
Abigail
May 20, 2015 at 4:36 amYou had me at sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions! This dish sounds delish! Pinned.
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:14 amI know exactly what you mean…mushrooms and onions are a favorite here too.
Susan | LunaCafe
May 20, 2015 at 8:07 amThis sounds almost like a barley risotto–with beans. 🙂 I LOVE barley and throw it into everything. Will try this with local wild mushrooms I get at Portland Farmers Market. Delicious!
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:19 amBarley risotto sounds wonderful I can imagine how magnificent mushrooms at the Portland Farmer’s Market would be.
Kelly @ TastingPage
May 20, 2015 at 9:04 amSo sorry to hear about your bad weather, but I like that you’re making the most of it with this wonderful looking dish. Looks divine, no matter what the temperature!
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:21 amThank you Kelly, it looks like the sun is breaking through the clouds today.
Healing Tomato
May 20, 2015 at 10:06 amThis is such a delicious lunch idea. I am so bad about eating barley and this recipe has given me the motivation.
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:23 amBarley is delicious, eat more of it Rini. 🙂
pam (Sidewalk Shoes)
May 20, 2015 at 10:57 amSuch a homey and comforting dish!
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:25 amThank you Pam.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
May 20, 2015 at 10:59 amMmmm, I love hearty grain salads. So satisfying!
Michelle
May 20, 2015 at 11:25 amThank you Brandon.
Debi @ Life Currents
May 28, 2015 at 2:06 pmCan I come over for dinner the next time you make this? ‘Casue it sounds amazing! I love all these ingredients, and it just looks so yummy!
Michelle
May 28, 2015 at 4:40 pmAbsolutely. I’ll let you know when I make it again.
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September 3, 2015 at 12:34 pm[…] looking for a meatless option, particularly if you are a follower of Meatless Monday, this Barley, Spinach, and Mushroom dish might be the ticket. It’s vegetarian because of the parmesan cheese, and if omitted, […]
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Pascale Seguin
May 30, 2016 at 3:48 pmOMG soooo good, just made it, simple and delicious! lots left over and that’s a good thing, I think 🙂 , enjoy, mmmm good.
Michelle De La Cerda
May 30, 2016 at 8:25 pmI am so happy to hear you enjoyed it. I am really bad at cooking for small numbers, I am used to cooking for an army. Thanks for letting know you liked it.
Heather
September 9, 2016 at 1:16 pmI am going to try this for a potluck card party this weekend. How many do you think one recipe feeds? There are 12 of us. I was thinking of tripling it? Thank you!
Michelle De La Cerda
September 9, 2016 at 1:48 pmThanks for writing in Heather. I do need to get better about my yields and portions when it comes to my recipes. 1 cup dried barley equals about 3 or so cups cooked as a rule. Since this will be part of a pot luck, I think doubling it will be sufficient for 12 people. A general guideline for side dishes at parties is about 4 oz per serving. Hope that helps. And have a great time at the party.
Jennifer
March 26, 2020 at 6:43 pmI just made this tonight! It is awesome. My husband and I will make this again.
Katelyn
June 13, 2021 at 5:05 pmThis was crazy good! I skipped oil and have never made anything with barley before but this was wonderful! Thank you for this recipe! Will add it to my list of regulars
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