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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries with Barley

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After we ate this for dinner one night, there were a few people at our house for a meeting. My pastor was there and shortly after arriving he casually asked what we'd eaten for dinner that night. I briefly described this dish and we moved on. It wasn't until later that I realized he probably wasn't asking in a 'curious because she's a food blogger' way, but in a 'your house reeks, what were you cooking?' way. I've talked before about how our house has the tendency to retain cooking smells. That night I'm sure the smell of previously roasted brussels sprouts was permeating the area.

Aren't you just dying to come to my house now?!
I don't care what the effect is when you roast brussels sprouts (or kale or broccoli, for that matter, two other notoriously stinky foods)--I love them! They were perfect in this barley dish which had all sorts of good stuff happening in it--fresh cranberries, broiled until they pop, toasty almonds, and big hunks of goat cheese, all tossed in barley with splashes of maple syrup and barley. This is one of those healthy dishes that doesn't taste healthy, it doesn't leave you hungry an hour later but you won't feel heavy after digging into a big bowl of it. Just don't make it before you're planning to have company...

One Year Ago: Banana Cream Cheese Muffins
Two Years Ago: Tabbouleh


Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries with Barley
from Cookie and Kate
*makes 2-3 servings

Ingredients:
-1 lb brussels sprouts, tips cut off and sliced in half
-1 tbsp olive oil
-salt
-2/3 cup fresh cranberries (you could sub 1/3 cup dried cranberries)
-1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
-1/3 cup almonds, chopped and toasted (could sub pecans or walnuts)
-1 cup barley
-1 tbsp maple syrup, or more to taste
-1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, or more to taste

Directions:
1. In a medium sized saucepan, add 1 cup barley and 2 1/2 cups water. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer and simmer for 30-40 minutes until liquid has disappeared. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside.
2. Toss brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stove, for 2 minutes. Add brussels sprouts to hot skillet (rearrange so that flat sides are down). Allow them to cook for 2 minutes.
3. Toss the fresh cranberries into the pan and transfer the pan to your broiler (if you don't have a cast iron skillet, use a frying pan for the brussels and transfer them plus the cranberries to an oven-safe baking dish). Broil the brussels sprouts for about 3 minutes, until browned and slightly caramelized. Cranberries should begin to pop.
4. Toss barley with sprouts, cranberries, goat cheese, and almonds in a bowl. Drizzle with balsamic and maple syrup. Season with salt and serve immediately.