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Orzotto with tomatoes and feta

Orzotto is an Italian dish similar to risotto, made with pearl barley instead of rice, which is a popular  dish in north-eastern Italy. This Orzotto with tomatoes and feta cheese is an interesting version, ideal for dinner parties and special occasions. The cheese is served separately, so those with dairy allergies or on a vegan diet can have the orzotto itself. Alternatively, use vegan feta cheese, available in most supermarkets.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 4 hours
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 1234
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g pearl barley
  • 1 small knob of butter or margarine
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 2 shallots
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 4 sprigs of thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp grated lemon zest
  • ¼ tsp chilli flakes
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes 400g
  • 700 ml vegetable stock
  • 300 ml passata
  • For the feta: 2 Tbsp olive oil 200g feta cheese, 2 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp fresh oregano leaves (optional)

Method
 

  1. Wash and drain the pearl barley.
  2. Finely chop the shallots, garlic and celery.
  3. Heat the butter and oil in a heavy-based saucepan, then gently soften the chopped vegetables.
  4. Add the pearl barley, paprika, thyme, bay leaf, chilli flakes and lemon zest. Stir for a minute, then then pour in the stock, the tinned tomatoes and passata.
  5. Bring to the boil, then gently simmer over low temperature for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the barley pearls sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  6. Meanwhile, dry-fry the cumin seeds in a pan, then crush them slightly in a mortar.
  7. Cut the feta into 2-cm cubes, put them on a plate. Drizzle with the oil, then scatter the toasted cumin seeds and the oregano leaves over them. Set aside.
  8. When the orzotto is soft & creamy, and it has absorbed almost all of the liquid, turn off the heat.
  9. Taste it, and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
  10. Serve warm with the marinated feta.