Prepare your workspace: set up a large pot for the broth, a small bowl for soaking the mushrooms, a large frying pan, and a cutting board. Rinse the pearl barley in a sieve under cold running water for about 2 minutes, shaking the sieve until the water runs clear. Clean the mushrooms with a paper towel and slice them thinly (about 3-4 mm). Peel the onion and chop it into small cubes. Crush the garlic with the side of a knife and chop it very finely or press it through a garlic press. Finely chop the parsley and strip the thyme leaves from the stems. Prepare a grater for cheese if you are using it.
Description
Kaszotto is a Polish variation of risotto, in which we use pearl barley instead of rice. This dish combines the forest aroma of mushrooms (fresh champignons and dried porcini) with the creamy texture of barley cooked in hot broth and fresh herbs (parsley, thyme). Perfect as a main dish for a family dinner or a regional gathering, it pairs wonderfully with a simple salad of young cabbage or green asparagus. Visually, kaszotto has a creamy structure with visible slices of mushrooms and a green accent of chopped parsley; flavor-wise, it is deeply umami, slightly buttery, and herbal.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (14)
- Barley groats 300 g
- Mushrooms 250 g
- Dried porcini mushroom 20 g
- Onion 1 szt. (~150 g)
- Garlic 3 ząbki (~15 g)
- Butter 50 g
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Vegetable broth 1000 ml
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Parsley 1 pęczek (~30 g)
- Thyme 10 g
- Salt 0.2 szczypt (~5 g)
- Black pepper 4 szczypty (~2 g)
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Cheese 80 g
- Sour cream 50 g
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Preparation steps
Preparation of ingredients
Soaking the mushrooms
Dried porcini mushrooms should be placed in a bowl and covered with about 200 ml of boiling water. Let them sit for 20 minutes until they soften. After soaking, drain the mushrooms in a sieve, reserving the soaking liquid (pour through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to separate any sand). Chop the soaked porcini into smaller pieces and mix with the sliced button mushrooms.
Sautéing
Heat a large skillet (preferably 26-28 cm) over medium heat. Pour in the canola oil (30 g). When the oil is slightly shimmering, add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the onion becomes translucent and lightly golden. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds — be careful not to burn it. Add the sliced mushrooms and soaked porcini, sauté for 6-8 minutes, until they release their juices and start to brown. At this point, you can season with 1/3 of the salt and 1/2 of the pepper.
Kaszotto
In the pan with mushrooms, add the drained pearl barley and stir for 2-3 minutes to lightly sauté the barley and develop a nutty aroma. Then, add 100 ml of hot broth (you can include some of the soaking liquid from the porcini mushrooms) and stir with a wooden spoon until the liquid is almost absorbed. Continue adding in approximately 100 ml portions: pour in hot broth, stir until the barley absorbs the liquid, and repeat for 25-30 minutes. After 20 minutes, check the texture: the barley should be soft with a slight bite (al dente), not overcooked. The total cooking time for the barley is about 25-30 minutes, depending on the type of pearl barley.
Finishing and serving
When the groats are soft, remove the pan from the heat. Add the butter (the remaining part, about 25 g) and — if using — the cream (50 g). Stir vigorously until a creamy, glossy consistency is achieved. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking (add the remaining salt and pepper after tasting). Add the chopped parsley and thyme leaves, and gently mix. If you like, sprinkle with grated yellow cheese just before serving. Let the risotto sit for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving
Serve the risotto hot in deep plates or bowls. On the plate, form a portion (about 200-250 g per person), garnish with extra parsley and a few slices of warm mushrooms. Serve a lightly sour young cabbage salad or steamed asparagus alongside the risotto as a fresh seasonal touch.
Fun Fact
Kaszotto is a contemporary reinterpretation of Italian risotto using native grains; pearl barley has traditionally been used in Polish kitchens as a nutritious base for stews and casseroles.
Best for
Tips
Serve hot, preferably in large, shallow bowls; add a bit of fresh parsley and serve immediately. Sour accents (pickled cucumber or a small salad) and a glass of white wine for adults will complement the dish.
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth and warm over low heat, stirring to regain a creamy consistency. Do not freeze, as the texture of the grain may deteriorate.
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