4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound portobello mushrooms
wiped clean with a damp cloth and — cut in 1″ pieces 1 medium onion — coarsely chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth — fat removed
1 cup pearl barley — rinsed
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves — chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup white wine — sweet
(Reisling, sauterne, dessert white) 1/2 cup golden raisins
salt and pepper 2 tablespoons Italian parsley
[1] Place 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the mushroom chunks and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside. [2] Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining oil and the onion. Cook about 10 minutes until onion is soft. [3] While onion is cooking, bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer. [4] Add the barley, rosemary and allspice to the onions. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, making sure the barley is evenly coated with the oil. Add the wine and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, or until the wine is nearly evaporated. [5] Add the hot broth to the barley mixture, 1/2 cup at a time; cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until each addition of broth is absorbed into the barley before adding the next. [6] When the barley is tender and nearly all the broth has been absorbed (about 45 minutes), stir in the reserved mushrooms and the raisins. Cook a few minutes longer, until the risotto reaches desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, sprinkling with chopped parsley.
CookSNote: When cleaning mushrooms, remove any stem ends. Wipe the mushrooms with a damp cloth or mushroom brush. Do not rinse under faucet. Serves 4. 1/4 = 482 cals, 73g carbs, 11g pro., 18g fat, 3mg chol.