With summer in full swing here in the UK we’ve mostly been about salad, salad, salad.  And anything else that doesn’t involve turning the oven on.  There may have even been a lounge picnic (or three) because I burn just by looking at the weather forecast.  Freckle city my friends.

But as much as I do honestly love salad and all its incarnations – even had it for lunch today with these spicy baked beans – sometimes, and despite the heat, I still occasionally fancy hot food.

Enter the one pan risotto.  Yay for minimal washing up! ?

Just saute some vegetables, add everything else then stir and simmer for 20 minutes for something utterly delicious, hearty and filling without making you feel like you’re full of lead!

And pearl barley is not only very tasty, but as one of the increasingly popular whole grains,  it’s also pretty good for you.  It’s one of the oldest consumed grains in the world and full of fibre and heart healthy antioxidants.

Cooked with veggies, herbs and a tiny bit of coconut sugar to really help bring out the tomatoey flavour this is definitely one I’ll be making again and again ?

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