Fresh Citrus Barley Lentil (Printable Version)
Hearty barley and lentils simmered with citrus and fresh vegetables for a vibrant, wholesome dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains and Legumes
01 - 1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
02 - 1/2 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 2 cups water
→ Citrus & Seasonings
11 - Zest and juice of 1 large orange
12 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
17 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Garnish
19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
20 - Lemon wedges (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed pearl barley, lentils, halved cherry tomatoes, bay leaf, vegetable broth, and water. Bring mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes until barley and lentils are tender.
05 - Stir in orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Ladle stew into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
- The citrus lifts every single bite so it never feels heavy or one-note.
- You probably have most of these vegetables in your kitchen already, making it endlessly practical.
02 -
- Rinsing your barley and lentils before cooking removes excess starch and helps them cook more evenly without becoming gummy.
- Add the citrus at the very end, after the pot comes off the heat, so the fresh zest and juice stay bright instead of cooking down into bitterness.
03 -
- Don't skip the step of sautéing your vegetables first, it's where all the real flavor begins.
- Taste the stew before you add the citrus so you know what you're building on, then taste again after to really feel the transformation.