Herby buttermilk grains recipe for a tasty twist

Ingredients for Grains in herby buttermilk

• 120 g mixed unhulled grains (such as spelt, whole barley, and/or whole farro)

• 1 small onion, unpeeled, halved

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 strips lemon zest, 7.5 cm x 2.5 cm

• kosher salt

• 45 g parsley leaves with tender stems

• 120 g dill fronds

• 240 ml buttermilk, preferably at room temperature

• 120 g plain Greek yogurt, preferably at room temperature

• juice of ½ lemon

• extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

• freshly ground black pepper

How to make Grains in herby buttermilk

1. Toast the grains in a dry, heavy-based pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are slightly darkened and begin to smell nutty, about 4 minutes.

2. Pour in 1 litre of water, then add the onion, garlic, lemon zest, and a couple of generous pinches of salt; stir to combine.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally and skimming any foam from the surface as needed, until the grains are tender (taste a few grains to test), 35–45 minutes. Discard the onion, garlic, and lemon zest.

4. Meanwhile, purée the parsley, dill, buttermilk, and a generous pinch of salt in a blender until bright green and smooth.

5. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl, add the yogurt, and whisk until well combined, about 3 minutes. This will help prevent the yogurt from splitting and becoming grainy when added to the grains.

6. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the grains. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

7. Remove from the heat and squeeze in the juice from half a lemon. Stir well, then taste the grains and season with more salt if necessary. Skim any foam from the surface.

8. Ladle the grains into bowls. Drizzle a little oil over each serving and top with coarsely ground pepper.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.