Description

Herby Barley Salad with Butter-Basted Mushrooms is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines nutty barley with rich, buttery mushrooms and fresh herbs. It’s perfect as a wholesome side or light main, offering comforting textures and vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

1 cup barley (pearl or hull-less)

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Lemon juice, to taste

Optional: ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (for topping)

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Instructions

Rinse barley under cold water. In a pot, combine barley and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 25–30 minutes until tender. Drain excess liquid.
While barley cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté sliced mushrooms until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes.
Add butter, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to mushrooms. Cook another 2–3 minutes until fragrant and well-coated.
In a large bowl, mix cooked barley with butter-basted mushrooms. Add parsley and basil and toss gently.
Drizzle lemon juice over the salad and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine evenly.
Transfer salad to plates or a serving bowl. Garnish with crumbled feta if desired.
Serve warm or let cool and refrigerate for later.

Notes

Swap feta for goat cheese or leave cheese out for a vegan option.

Add toasted nuts like walnuts or pine nuts for extra crunch.

Mix in other herbs such as dill or chives for different flavor profiles.

Include roasted vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for more color and taste.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or enjoy cold as a refreshing salad.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 20mg