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Top 10 pearl barley recipes

Pearl barley's distinctive texture and unique, nutty taste makes it a grain that can add an element of interest to an otherwise dull dish. From pearl barley risotto to chicken and barley hot pot, here are 10 of our top pearl barley recipes.

Pearl barley, bacon and carrot one-pot
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Pearl barley, bacon and carrot one-pot

Embrace the colder evenings with this wonderfully warming pearl barley one-pot. Sweet carrots, bacon, hearty lentils and goat's cheese are baked until tender and drizzled with sharp balsamic vinegar for a midweek main that will really break the norm. Serve with a peppery rocket salad, or freeze until ready to eat.

  1. Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Put the carrots, lardons and barley in a 2ltr ovenproof dish; mix well. Nestle in the garlic bulb halves and rosemary sprig, then pour over 450ml boiling water.
  2. Tightly cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 mins until the carrots are soft and the barley is puffed and tender. Remove and discard the rosemary, then crumble over the goat's cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 mins. Season with black pepper, drizzle with the oil and vinegar, and serve with the rocket alongside.

Freezing and defrosting guidelines

In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.

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  • Ingredients
  • 5 bunched carrots or regular carrots (about 225g), scrubbed and cut into 3cm diagonal chunks
  • 45g Tesco Finest dry-cure bacon lardons
  • 150g pearl barley
  • 1 garlic bulb, halved widthways
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • 50g French goat’s cheese (Chévre)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 30g rocket, to serve