Baked Barley Casserole with Mushroom & Squash Slightly crunchy with a mild nutty flavor, pearl barley cooks more quickly than the hulled variety while retaining its high-fiber, low-cholesterol benefits.

Serves: 6
Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
CATEGORY:
Vegetarian, Freezable

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tbsp plus
• 1 tsp olive oil, divided
• 8 oz mixed wild mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, cremini), sliced (about 3 1/2 cups)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 5 oz butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1 cup)
• 1/3 cup diced leeks, white and light green parts only
• 1 stalk celery, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 cup uncooked pearl barley
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 1/2 cups low-fat, low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1 1/2 oz soft goat cheese, crumbled

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and salt and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms begin to release their moisture, about 2 minutes. Add squash, leeks, celery and remaining 1 tsp oil and continue to cook, stirring, until mushrooms are brown and squash is tender, about 4 minutes. Add barley and garlic and stir until thoroughly coated and slightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add broth, parsley and thyme and stir.
3. Transfer mixture to an 11-cup (2.6 L) casserole dish, cover with aluminum foil and bake in oven until barley is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 35 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and cheese and return to oven. Bake, uncovered, until seeds are toasted and cheese is softened, about 10 minutes.

Nutrients per 8-oz serving (using vegetable broth): Calories: 232, Total Fat: 6 g, Sat. Fat: 2 g, Carbs: 37 g, Fiber: 7 g, Sugars: 3 g, Protein: 7 g, Sodium: 208 mg, Cholesterol: 3 mg