Shrimp and Barley Risotto

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 40 min
  • Active: 30 min
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Ingredients

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small bulb fennel, chopped, plus 1/4 cup fronds

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking pearl barley (about 8 ounces)

1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 1/4 pounds peeled and deveined medium shrimp

3/4 cup frozen peas

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped fennel, garlic, rosemary and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fennel is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the barley until combined.
  2. Add the chicken broth and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the barley is tender but still a bit saucy, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Uncover and stir in the shrimp and peas. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted. Stir in the parmesan and 2 tablespoons fennel fronds; season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with the remaining fennel fronds.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Jessica K.

Made this recipe on a whim of an easily-readied meal and it was delicious; praise around the table.<div><br /></div><div>I had my concerns (no cream? steaming the shrimp in the grain?) but there's no need to fear - it all works ideally.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>I followed the recipe exactly, except...</div><div>added half a sweet onion (with minimal fennel - didn't have much) in step one,</div><div>seasoned more generously (celery salt, dash white pepper, dash paprika, a couple fennel seeds, one roasted garlic clove),</div><div>swapped 1 TBSP butter with evoo during the finishing stir,</div><div>and used a wee less shrimp by weight.</div><div><br /></div><div>This profile is classic/great, yet I love that theory of the recipe seems very adaptable to other flavors. </div><div><br /></div><div>Will definitely make again!</div></div></div></div></div>

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