Do you desire to impress your family or friends with an outstanding dish that will leave them licking their fingers? Then the wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese recipe is what you need in your cooking file.

This vegetarian dish is rich in flavor and a perfect meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

2 cups of barley
8 cups of vegetable broth
1 cup of grated gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 large onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 cups of mixed wild mushrooms (such as cremini, shitake, and oyster)
1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1/2 cup of dry white wine
1/4 cup of heavy cream (optional)

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to prepare the wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese:.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread the barley on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
In a large pot, heat the vegetable broth and keep it warm.
In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add garlic and onions.
Sauté the onions and garlic for about 5 minutes until they become soft.
Add the wild mushrooms, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pan and stir them together.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, then pour in the white wine and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the liquid evaporates.
Add barley to the pan with the mushrooms and mix them.
Gradually add 1 cup of vegetable broth at a time, stirring constantly until each cup of vegetable broth is absorbed by the barley.
Cook for 35-40 minutes until the barley has turned tender but still chewy, and the risotto is creamy and thick.
Stir in heavy cream (if you prefer) and gruyere cheese until it melts and forms a creamy texture.
Serve the wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese and garnish it with some freshly chopped thyme leaves.

Tips for Making The Best Wild Mushroom Barley Risotto with Gruyere Cheese

Preparing the wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese is simple, but you should be careful not to get something about that method wrong.

The following are tips to help ensure that your wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese comes out great:.

Use a Wide Pan or Skillet

A wide pan or skillet allows for even cooking and lets the liquid in the barley be absorbed faster. A deep pan makes the barley cook hardly and slow down the absorption of liquid.

Stir as You Cook

Stirring is essential in this recipe as it helps the barley absorb the vegetable broth quickly and evenly. A spoonful of vegetable broth should be added gradually, stirring the barley as the broth gets absorbed and repeating the process.

Take your Time

Although the preparation time for wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese may seem long, it is worth the wait. The secret to getting the perfect texture is taking your time and being patient while cooking.

Experiment with Other Cheeses

Gruyere cheese is an ideal cheese for this recipe as it adds a unique nutty flavor to the dish. However, you may use other strong-flavored cheeses like Parmesan, goat cheese or feta.

Final Thoughts

The wild mushroom barley risotto with gruyere cheese is an appetizing and easy-to-prepare vegetarian recipe. You can add other vegetables such as asparagus, peas or spinach to spice up the dish.

Make it your signature dish to surprise your guests with this new recipe. Enjoy your meal!.