Asparagus With Pearl Barley And Bacon
In this recipe, tender asparagus is paired with creamy barley for a delicious and hearty dish. A flavorful sauce made from asparagus stems adds a velvety touch to the dish, complemented by the freshness of broad beans and tomatoes. With a comforting blend of textures and flavors, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Prepare to enjoy a delightful meal that wonderfully showcases the vibrant taste of asparagus.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 300ml/10fl oz chicken stock
- woody ends of asparagus (see below)
- 100ml/3½fl oz single cream
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 30g/1oz butter
- 1 shallot
- 225g/8oz pearl barley
- 50ml/2fl oz white wine
- 800ml/1 pint 8fl oz chicken stock
- 2 bunches English asparagus
- 60g/2¼oz bacon lardons
- 85g/3oz cooked and shelled broad beans
- 3 tomatoes
Instructions
- For the sauce, add the woody ends of the asparagus stems to the chicken stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for another five minutes. Blend the mixture and pass through a sieve into a clean saucepan. Add the cream and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- For the pearl barley, melt the butter in a saucepan and fry the shallot for one minute without colouring. Add the pearly barley and cook for a further minute.
- Add the wine to the mixture and bring to the boil, then add 325ml/11fl oz of the stock and return to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all of the stock has been absorbed. Add another 325ml/11fl oz of stock and cook for a further 20-25 minutes, or until the barley is tender. (You may need to add a little more stock.)
- Meanwhile, cut 4cm/1½in of the tips from the asparagus and set aside. Slice the remaining stems at an angle.
- Cook the asparagus tips in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes, drain and refresh in salted ice water then drain again.
- Fry the bacon lardons in a frying pan for one minute, or until golden-brown
- Stir the sliced asparagus stems into the barley and cook for a further 3-4 minutes. Stir in the bacon, broad beans, asparagus tips and tomatoes.
- To serve, froth the sauce with a hand blender. Spoon the barley into deep serving bowls and pour over the sauce.
Cook Time
1H
Prep Time
PT30M
Yield
Serves 4
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