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Barley Pilaf with Pearl Onions

You can substitute frozen pearl onions for fresh, if you like, and skip step 1.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8

Ingredients

10 ounces white pearl onions (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon chicken fat, margarine, or unsalted butter
2 cups pearl barley
1 quart homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock, plus more if needed
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the onions, and blanch until the skins loosen, about 1 minute. Drain the onions in a colander, and rinse with cold water. Peel the onions, and set aside.

    Step 2

    Heat the fat in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until hot but not smoking. Add the barley; cook, stirring frequently, until the barley is browned and fragrant, about 15 to 20 minutes.

    Step 3

    Add the stock and reserved onions. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, and cook the barley until it is tender but chewy and all the liquid has been absorbed, about 40 minutes; if all the liquid is absorbed and the barley is still not done, add a few tablespoons stock or water, and continue cooking. Serve hot.

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Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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