9ozcremini mushroomsfinely chopped (mixed mushrooms would work as well)
1cupfinely chopped carrots
1cupfinely chopped celery
1large yellow onionfinely chopped
1cmGranny Smith applecut into 1cubes
1/4cupwater chestnutsroughly chopped
1Tbsp fresh rosemarychopped
1Tbsp fresh sagechopped
1Tbsp fresh thymechopped
1/2tspfennel seedsground in mortar and pestle or spice grinder
Salt and pepperto taste (optional)
Instructions
In advance, prepare 2 cups cooked barley according to package instructions. Set aside or make a day or two ahead and store, covered, in refrigerator.
In large frying pan on medium-high heat, add olive oil and mushrooms and cook until browned and all moisture is gone, stirring frequently.
To frying pan with mushrooms, add carrots, celery, and onion; sauté until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add apple cubes and water chestnuts along with herbs and spices, and sauté until apples are soft, about 5 minutes. Add in cooked barley and stir to combine.
Place mixture into oven-safe dish with cover. Bake, covered, at 350 F for 30 minutes. If you want the top to be crispy, remove cover approximately 5 to 10 minutes earlier.
To save time on Thanksgiving Day, make this up to 2 days ahead and store in fridge before roasting. On the day of your dinner, let stand for 30 minutes before roasting until crispy and warmed through.
Notes
Per serving: 457 calories; 15 g protein; 6 g fat (1 g sat. fat); 91 g carbohydrates (12 g sugars, 23 g fiber); 69 mg sodium