Rinse the pearl barley under cold water in a colander, stirring vigorously with your hand until the water becomes clear. Drain. This removes dust and excess starch. Then set the barley aside.
Description
Kaszotto with young corn and green peas is a summer, delicate version of risotto made with pearl barley in the Masurian style. The dish combines the sweetness of fresh corn and peas with the creamy texture of the barley, enriched with butter and cheese — perfect for children and the whole family. The dish is hearty, has the natural sweetness of seasonal vegetables, and a pleasant, soft texture that can be easily seasoned to taste. Serve as a standalone lunch for children or as a side dish to grilled fish, lightly drizzled with lemon and sprinkled with dill for adults. Visually, the kaszotto is colorful: golden corn kernels, green peas, and creamy kaszotto with flecks of herbs.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (13)
- Barley groats 300 g
- Corn 300 g
- Green peas 200 g
- Onion 1 pcs (~150 g)
- Garlic 2 clove (~10 g)
- Butter 50 g
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Vegetable broth 800 ml
- Cheese 80 g
- 🌿 Spices
- Salt 0.1 pinch (~4 g)
- Black pepper 2 pinch (~1 g)
- ✨ Optional
- Dill 1.5 bunch (~30 g)
- Sour cream 50 g
💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used
Preparation steps
Preparing the groats
Vegetables
Peel the onion and chop it into small cubes (about 5 mm). Peel the garlic cloves and chop them very finely. For the corn, break off the leaves and silk, stand the cob upright on the board, and cut the kernels off with a sharp knife, working from top to bottom. If using peas in pods: shell them from the pods.
Frying the base
In a wide skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the rapeseed oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring, until the onion becomes translucent and soft (it should be semi-transparent, not brown). Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until it releases its aroma.
Frying vegetables
Add the corn kernels and peas to the sautéed onion. Fry for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the corn starts to soften slightly and the peas retain their bright color. Season lightly with salt and pepper (remember that the cheese will add salt later).
Combining the groats with vegetables
Add the rinsed pearl barley to the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to lightly sauté the barley and combine it with the fat and the aroma of the onion. This step is similar to toasting rice in risotto — it will help the barley maintain a nice texture.
Cooking the risotto
Increase the temperature to medium-high. Pour in the first ladle of hot broth (about 150-200 ml) to lightly cover the grains. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the grains absorb most of the liquid. Continue adding ladles — add the next portion only when the previous one has almost been absorbed. The entire process will take 25-30 minutes. The grains are ready when they are soft on the outside but have a slight "bite" in the center — they should not be mushy.
Finishing
When the groats are almost ready (after about 25-30 minutes), reduce the heat to low. Add the butter and half of the yellow cheese, stirring vigorously until the ingredients melt and a creamy consistency is achieved. If you want a creamier risotto, optionally add 18% cream and quickly mix it in. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Serving and Decoration
Transfer the risotto to plates. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese and finely chopped dill on top (optional). Serve immediately while the dish is still hot and creamy.
Fun Fact
In Mazurian cuisine, groats were a staple of the diet — kaszotto is a modern interpretation of this tradition, combining local grains with summer vegetables from the garden.
Best for
Tips
Serve the risotto hot, straight from the pan. For adults, add a drizzle of lemon juice and more fresh dill. For the little ones, you can blend part of the portion until smooth if they prefer a softer texture.
Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm on low heat with a spoonful of water or broth, stirring until it regains a creamy consistency. Freezing with the addition of cream/cheese is not recommended due to texture changes.
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