3498. BACON, CHEESE and BARLEY STUFFED CAPSICUM

1 cup raw barley or rice
2 teaspoons oil
1 onion, peeled and diced
2 rashers middle bacon
2 cloves garlic, peeled and dice
1.5 cups grated cheese
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
4 medium capsicums (red, orange and yellow are sweetest)
Parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer the barley in plenty of water for 20 minutes. Drain the barley once cooked. Preheat oven to 440ºF. Heat a frypan on medium heat and add oil. Fry the onion until translucent. Add the bacon and garlic and fry until cooked through. Add the drained barley, sun dried tomatoes and 3/4 of the cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper if needed. Slice the tops off the capsicum and remove the inside and seeds. Fill the capsicums with the barley filling and top with the remaining cheese. Place the tops back on the capsicums and bake for 30 minutes or until the capsicums are soft.

bacon recipe source: Lorraine Elliott, Not Quite Nigella (@NotQuiteNigella), June 1, 2014

3043. BACON, TOMATO and FARRO SALAD

makes six servings


1 cup farro, or quick-cooking barley
2 slices center-cut bacon
1 medium shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Place farro (or barley) in a medium saucepan; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes for farro (about 10 minutes for barley). Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; leave the fat in the pan. Add shallot to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Crumble or chop the bacon. Add to the bowl along with tomatoes, basil and the warm vinaigrette; gently stir to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.


bacon recipe courtesy of: EatingWell, May/June 2013 

2753. OXTAIL and BARLEY SOUP with BACON

serves 4-6


3 tablespoons olive oil
3 slice bacon, chopped
4 lbs. oxtails, cut into 3-inch segments
2 carrots, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes, with juice
4 cups beef stock
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder (optional)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups water
1 cup pearl barley
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
croutons (recommended: garlic croutons)

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add bacon and saute until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and add half the oxtails, cut ends down, to the pot; let cook, undisturbed, until browned, about 8 minutes. Turn to brown the other end, then brown the sides. Remove with a slotted spoon to a warm plate. Repeat with remaining oxtails. Reduce heat to medium and add carrots, celery and onion to the pot; saute until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Return the oxtails and any accumulated juices to the pot and add garlic, tomatoes with juice, stock, wine, salt, marjoram, five-spice powder (if using) and pepper; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until meat is falling off the bones, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring water to a boil over medium heat. Add barley and a pinch of salt; cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove oxtails from the pot with a slotted spoon and let cool slightly, then pick the meat from the bones. Discard bones. Skim the fat from the surface of the soup with a large spoon. Return meat to the pot and add reserved bacon; reheat, if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Divide barley among heated bowls and top with soup. Garnish with parsley and croutons.


bacon recipe courtesy of: 300 Sensational Soups by Carla Snyder and Meredith Deeds, 2008, pp. 166-167

2517. ROASTED BARLEY SALAD with BACON and VEGETABLES

yields two cups


1 3/4 cups pearl barley (3/4 pound)
5 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
5 cups water
l bay leaf
salt
6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 carrot, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1 tablespoon minced thyme leaves
1 zucchini, cut 1/2-inch rounds
4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 pound button mushroom, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 bunch Italian parsley, minced (about 3/4 cup)

Put barley in a saute pan over medium heat and toast until medium brown. In a pot, bring the stock and water to a boil with the bay leaf and salt. Add toasted barley and cook until tender about20 minutes. Drain and spread out on cookie sheet to cool.

Cook bacon in nonstick skillet until crisp. Remove and add the garlic to the same skillet. When it begins to turn light brown, add the carrots and thyme. Saute for 1 minute, then add the zucchini and continue to saute for another 30 seconds. Take off the heat and add vinegar and olive oil, and season. Set aside and let cool.

Toss the barley with the sliced mushrooms, bacon, carrot mixture and parsley. Season well with salt and pepper and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Michael Chiarello, "Brown Baggin' It," Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, Food Network

1416. PEARL BARLEY with BROWN ALE, CARAMELIZED BRUSSEL SPROUTS, SMOKED BACON and ROASTED CHESTNUTS

1¼ cups pearl barley
1½ cups brown ale
1¼ cups chicken stock or water
½lb chestnuts (directions follow)
1/3 lb smoked bacon, ¼ inch pieces
1 small onion, diced
2 cups brussel sprouts, outside leaves trimmed away and quartered
salt and pepper

In a medium size pot cover barley with 1¼ cups of beer (reserve ¼ cup) and water and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook on low until all liquid has been absorbed, approximately 15 minutes.

In a frying pan, cook bacon on medium heat until fat has rendered and bacon is crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate covered with paper towel and remove all but 1 tsp of bacon fat from the pan. Add onions and sauté on medium heat until slightly brown. Add brussel sprouts, season with salt and pepper and roast in the pan on medium low heat until sprouts are tender and slightly caramelized, approximately ten minutes. Add remaining beer and cook for three minutes then add bacon and chestnuts and toss until thoroughly mixed.

To serve, spoon barley into a serving dish and top with brussel sprout mixture.


Chestnut directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees and place one cookie tray inside. Using a sharp knife, score an "X" in the round end of the chestnut, making sure to go through both the shell and husk. Place chestnuts in boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove from water and immediately place on hot tray that is in the oven. Roast chestnuts for four minutes. Remove chestnuts from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Peel chestnuts and discard shell and husk. Serve with pearl barley and brussel sprout dish.


courtesy of: Ontario Craft Brewers, 1-75 Horner Avenue, Toronto Ontario M8Z 4X5, 416-494-2766 | Chef Ezra Title, Chez Vous Dining

1197. BACON SAUTEED BARLEY with ARUGULA

1 cup hulled barley
4 cups water
2 slices center-cut bacon
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup lightly packed arugula

Place the barley in a medium glass bowl and add water to cover by 2 inches; cover and let stand at room temperature 8 hours or overnight.

Combine drained barley and 4 cups water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until barley is tender. Drain and set aside.

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until done; remove pan from heat and transfer bacon to a paper-towel lined plate. Crumble bacon when crisp. Discard all but 2 teaspoons of bacon drippings.

Return skillet with reserved bacon drippings to heat. Add red onion and cook 2 minutes or until softened. Add reserved barley; cook 2 minutes or until barley is heated through, stirring frequently.

Add salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar; stir to combine. Stir in arugula and cook 1 minute or until wilted. Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon.


courtesy of: Kathryn Conrad, Chef/Test Kitchen Associate, Cooking Light Magazine

1196. BACON and BARLEY MINESTRONE

1 large leek, white part only
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1 large parsnip, peeled and grated
2 stalks celery, stringy skin peeled off
½ cup of barley, rinsed well
1 bacon hock
2 x 250 grams fresh chicken stock
750ml hot water
1 x 400 grams can chopped tomatoes in juice
2 sprigs rosemary, left whole
3-4 fresh or 2 dried bay leaves
100 grams round green beans, finely sliced or 100g baby spinach leaves
A little chopped parsley or fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan to serve

Cut leek in half and remove any tough green leaves. Cut in half lengthways then cut each half to shorten it. Cut each quarter of leek into 4 even lengths then finely slice and place in a colander. Repeat until all leek is finely sliced. Rinse the leek well under a running tap to remove any dirt that is trapped between the leaves. Shake dry. Grate carrots coarsely and parsnip, add to the colander. Cut each celery stick into 4 even lengths then slice finely into a small dice. Add to colander of vegetables. Toss the vegetables lightly with your hands and mix well. Add to large saucepan or prewarmed crock pot.

Add rinsed barley to the vegetables and mix through. Place the bacon hock on top of the vegetables. Pour over the chicken stock and hot water. Spread the chopped tomato evenly on the top. Add fresh herbs. Cover and slowly bring to the boil. Or turn onto high in a crock pot or slow cooker and leave to cook for 6-7 hours.

When the soup has come to the boil, give it a stir then turn it down to a slow simmer and leave to cook covered for 1.5 hours. Check the soup occasionally and turn the bacon hock to ensure even cooking. If you are using gas to cook on then it is often hard to keep a ‘slow simmer’. I recommend using a simmer mat which you can buy at your local hardware store. It is an aluminum disc that sits between the gas and the saucepan and distributes the heat more evenly and slowly.

After 1.5 hours on the stove top check the barley is tender. Remove the rosemary twigs and bay leaves. Add the finely chopped beans, return the lid. Bring back to a simmer and cook for a further 15-20 minutes. For a crock pot the soup will be ready after 6 ½ -7 hours. You can add the beans and pasta and allow it to cook for a further 30-40 minutes.

Just before serving remove the bacon hock and peel away the thick skin. Flake away the meat with you hands. Chop it roughly and add back to the soup pot or crock If the soup is a little thick after adding back the chopped ham then thin it down with a little extra hot chicken stock or boiling water. Check the soups flavor and add a little salt and pepper as needed.

Ladle the minestrone into warmed bowls and serve with toasted bread and butter or fresh chewy bread rolls. Sprinkle a little chopped parsley into each bowl and a couple of teaspoons of grated parmesan to serve.


courtesy of: Meat Cuisine: Butchers of Distinction, 1 Tainui Road, Panmure, Auckland

857. BACON-CHEESE-BARLEY BURGERS

makes 4 patties


1/2 cup pearl barley
2 cups fat-free chicken broth
2 slices bacon
1 large egg
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

In a medium saucepan, bring the barley and chicken broth to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the barley is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool. While the barley is cooking, in a large nonstick skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, about 4 minutes. Reserve the fat from the bacon for cooking the burgers. Finely chop the bacon and add to the cooled barley. Mix in the egg, bread crumbs and cheese. Combine thoroughly and score into 4 equal pieces. Wet your hands and form the pieces into patties. Reheat the bacon fat and cook the burgers over medium heat for 4 minutes on each side.


courtesy of: Rachael Ray, Every Day with Rachael Ray, December-January 2007

808. BACON and BARLEY RISOTTO with SQUAB and CURRY-APPLE FOAM

a.k.a Squab Through a Window

yields 2 servings


Barley Risotto:
½ teaspoon shallots, finely diced
10 roasted pearl onions, peeled
1/2 teaspoon garlic, chopped
1 ounce smoked bacon, finely chopped
4 ounces barley, cooked al dente
4 ounces chicken stock
1 ounce heavy cream
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 sprigs thyme, picked
salt and pepper
2 squab breasts

Curry-Apple Foam:
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 cup unfiltered apple cider
½ shallot, finely diced
2 tablespoons tapioca starch


For the Barley: Saute shallots, pearl onions, garlic, smoked bacon and barley, add chicken stock and stir constantly. Add heavy cream and reduce. Finish with butter, thyme, salt and pepper. Pan sear squab breasts on high heat to medium rare and rest for 3 minutes before slicing each one into three pieces.

For the Curry-Apple Foam: Toast curry powder at a very low temperature before adding apple cider and shallots. Reduce by half and strain. Whisk in the tapioca starch, season, and place in iSi foamer in a hot water bath.

To Assemble: Place glass cylinder on plate. Carefully spoon in the barley mixture and add sliced squab breast. Shake iSi foamer and slowly foam 3 inches up the tube. Tableside, remove glass cylinder to allow the foam to fall into the dish.


courtesy of: Chef David Gilbert, Luqa Restaurant, 1217 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75202, 214-760-9000

248. HERB-BASTED CHICKEN with PEARL BARLEY, BACON, and ROOT VEGETABLE PILAF

makes 4 servings


Pilaf
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed, drained
6 ounces bacon, diced
1 shallot, minced
1 1/4 cups 1/4- to 1/3-inch cubes peeled root vegetables (such as celery root, carrot, turnip, rutabaga, and/or butternut squash)
Pinch of sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Chicken
6 tablespoons canola oil
4 large chicken breast halves with skin and bones
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary


For pilaf:
Bring 2 cups water and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Mix in barley. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Drain barley.

Sauté bacon in large pot over medium heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from pot. Add shallot; stir 30 seconds. Add cubed vegetables and sugar; sauté 6 minutes. Add barley, lemon juice, and herbs; stir 2 minutes. Mix in bacon; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Cover and place in oven to rewarm while chicken roasts, adding water by tablespoonfuls to moisten if dry.)

For chicken:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken, skin side down, in skillet. Cook until skin browns, about 7 minutes. Add butter and herbs to skillet; stir to blend. Turn chicken skin side up. Place skillet in oven; roast chicken until cooked through, basting occasionally with herb butter, about 20 minutes.

Divide pilaf among 4 plates; top with chicken. Spoon pan juices over.


courtesy of: Bon Appétit, January 2006

215. BAKED SMOKED BACON II

(Boczek Wedzony Wypiekany)

serves 6 to 7


1 lb. lean bacon, unsliced
2 cups split peas
1 cup pearl barley
hot bacon fat


Boil bacon until transparent in just enough water to cover, about 1/2 hour. When cool enough to handle, cut bacon in strips. Cook peas and barley separately until half done. Drain, combine, add enough of the water in which bacon has been cooking to prevent sticking, and steam, tightly covered, in the oven until done, taking care not to cook to a mush. Arrange the barley and peas on a platter, top with hot bacon fat, and arrange the slices of bacon around the edge.


courtesy of: Polish Cookery: The Universal Cook Book, by Marja Ochorowicz-Monatowa. New York: Crown Publishers, 1958. p. 154.