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Sweet potato and pearl barley risotto

Serves: 4
Prep: 10
Cook: 30

    Pearl barley is a nutrient rich grain. The nutty texture of the cooked pearl barley marries well with the creamy consistency of a risotto. Try it out you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it is.

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    Ingredients

    • 2 tsp oil
    • 2 cups cubed sweet potato
    • 1 tbsp oil, extra
    • 1 leek, sliced
    • few sprigs thyme, removed from stem
    • 1 litre reduced salt vegetable stock
    • 2 cups pearl barley, rinsed
    • 1 cup reduced salt vegetable stock, extra
    • ¼ cup finely grated parmesan
    • 2 cups baby spinach leaves
    • 1 tablespoon pepita seeds

    Method

    1. Step 1

      Toss cubed sweet potato with oil and place on a baking tray. Bake in a hot oven, 200°C, for 20 minutes or until golden.
    2. Step 2

      Heat extra oil in a cast iron pot and saute leek and thyme until leek is tender.
    3. Step 3

      Add stock and bring mixture to the boil.
    4. Step 4

      Stir through pearl barley and bring mixture back to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer with lid on for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    5. Step 5

      Remove lid and add extra hot stock and simmer for remaining 10 minutes with lid off.
    6. Step 6

      When pearl barley is cooked, fold through roasted sweet potato, parmesan and baby spinach leaves. Sprinkle with pepitas.

    Tips

    • To make this recipe vegan replace parmesan with 1 tbsp savoury yeast flakes.

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