Watercress Pearl Barley Risotto With Brown Butter Hazelnuts

    10m prep time
    60m total time
    Easy level
    13 ingredients

Make the most of watercress in this risotto. The pearl barley creates a robust, nutty texture, while brown butter, mascarpone and goat’s cheese add richness.

Method

Based on 2 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1-2 mins until softened but not coloured, then add the pearl barley and stock.

Step 2

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 40-45 mins, stirring often and topping up with water if needed, until the barley is tender and all the stock has been absorbed.

Step 3

Put most of the watercress in a food processor along with the mascarpone, lemon juice, mustard, parmesan and a splash of water. Blitz until the mixture is the consistency of smooth pesto.

Step 4

Melt the butter in a frying pan over a low-medium heat and toast the hazelnuts for 5-10 mins until the nuts are golden and the butter is a nutty brown colour.

Step 5

Add the watercress pesto to the risotto, season well, then add another drop of lemon juice, if needed. Cook for another few minutes until the consistency loosens – it should resemble rice pudding. (Add another splash of water to loosen, if needed.) Ladle into shallow bowls and top with the toasted hazelnuts, brown butter, chunks of goat’s cheese, the lemon zest and the remaining watercress leaves.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 2 servings
  • 20g Parmesan, or vegetarian alternative 1 x Sainsbury's Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 200g
  • 0.5 Lemon, zested and juiced 1 x Sainsbury's Lemons
  • 50g Soft Goat's Cheese, vegetarian, if needed 1 x Sainsbury's Abergavenny Goats Cheese 125g
  • 2tbsp Olive Or Rapeseed Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 500ml
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, crushed 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Onions Loose
  • 200g Pearl Barley 1 x Sainsbury's Pearl Barley 500g
  • 800-1000ml Vegetable Or Chicken Stock 1 x Sainsbury's Vegetable Stock Cubes 10 x 10g
  • 80g Watercress, plus extra leaves to serve 1 x Sainsbury's 80g Watercress
  • 50g Mascarpone 1 x Sainsbury's Mascarpone Cheese 250g
  • 1tsp Dijon Mustard 1 x Maille Dijon Original Mustard 215g
  • 25g Butter 1 x Sainsbury's British Butter, Salted 250g
  • 50g Hazelnuts 1 x Sainsbury's Blanched Hazelnuts 100g
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