Ingredients
Prep:5 mins | Cook:55 mins | Serves 4
25g butter , plus an extra knob to stir through
1 onion , finely chopped
4 parsnips , about 500g, peeled and cut into chunks
1 garlic clove , crushed
10 sage leaves , shredded, plus extra to serve
400g pearl barley , rinsed
1.4l hot vegetable stock
25g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated, plus extra to serve
Tips;
The parsnips, turn up the heat and cook for 8-10 mins, stirring every so often, until the parsnips are starting to brown and caramelise.
The pearl barley and stir to coat well.
The barley, soak overnight or rinse them well.
Instructions
Heat the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, and cook gently for 5 mins.
Add the garlic and sage, and mix through. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 35-40 mins, or until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed and the pearl barley is tender but still has a bite. You may need to add a little extra boiling water.
Take off the heat, top with the Parmesan and a knob of butter, then leave to melt. Give the risotto a good stir, then spoon into dishes. Top with more sage, Parmesan and some black pepper.
You can add some pepper flakes.