Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff

Total Time
Prep: 25 min. + marinating Cook: 45 min.

Updated Sep. 23, 2022

I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef stroganoff, so I combined the two dishes. Cook the barley using the risotto method to keep the grains whole and irresistibly chewy. —Tatiana Kireeva, New York, New York

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Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff

Prep Time 25 min
Cook Time 45 min
Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 beef top sirloin steak (1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 medium beefsteak tomato
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • BARLEY RISOTTO:
  • 5 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon white wine, optional
  • 1 cup medium pearl barley
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

  1. In a shallow dish, toss beef with Cognac. Refrigerate, covered, 2 hours. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in chicken stock and mustard. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cut tomato into thick strips. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook tomato until softened, 3-5 minutes. Stir into mustard sauce; add coarsely ground pepper and salt. Stir in sour cream.
  3. In same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Drain beef, discarding marinade, and pat beef dry. Add sliced onion and beef to pan; cook and stir until onion is softened and meat is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Add mustard sauce; reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 15 minutes. Keep warm until serving.
  4. For risotto, bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat to maintain simmer. In another large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion, salt and, if desired, white wine. Cook and stir until liquid evaporates. Add barley; toast in pan.
  5. Stir hot water into barley 1 cup at a time, waiting until liquid has almost absorbed before adding more. Cook until barley is softened but still slightly chewy, 15-20 minutes; stir in parsley. Serve immediately with beef.

Nutrition Facts

4 ounces cooked steak with 1 cup barley: 463 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 859mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 33g protein.