The Northern Express Herald

Roasted root vegetables and pearl barley

for 4 people

Tam West

Food writer and stylist.

This recipe can easily be made to serve more people and would be perfect to take to a potluck or shared dinner. Dress it just before you serve it.

Ingredients

750 g	Mixed baby root vegetables, use up to 1kg, such as different coloured carrots, turnips and golden (yellow) beetroot, scrubbed (Main)
1 small	Parsnip, use up to 2, peeled
2	Shallots, cut into wedges
2 Tbsp	Extra virgin olive oil, or rapeseed oil
1 cup	Pearl barley, rinsed (Main)
½	Lemons, use the juice only
4	Medjool date, stones removed and sliced
4 handfuls	Baby kale, or other small edible green leaves, optional

2 Tbsp	Lemon juice, use up to 3
1 tsp	Dijon mustard
1 tsp	Runny honey
4 Tbsp	Extra virgin olive oil, or rapeseed oil

Heat the oven to 220C.
Cut the carrots and parsnips into even-sized pieces and the turnips and beets into quarters. Place in a large bowl with the shallots. Drizzle over the oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Place in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes until all the vegetables are just tender.
Cook the pearl barley in lightly salted boiling water for 20-25 minutes, then drain well. Place in a bowl and squeeze the lemon juice over the pearl barley. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Layer the roasted vegetables and pearl barley on a platter. Scatter over the sliced dates and baby greens and drizzle over the dressing just before you are about to serve.