This Vegetarian Barley Stuffed Squash recipe combines a risotto style mushroom barley stuffed in an acorn squash and topped with seasonal vegetables!

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

Before the New Year I had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing and cooking with Chef Dustin Beckner of Quality Social, Downtown San Diego.

I had the idea to incorporate “Chef Inspired Dishes” into the blog a few months before and after working with Quality Social on several Boys & Girls Club Events, like the Scavenger Hunt this summer, I was able to set up an interview with their extremely talented chef.

I’ve broken the two dishes we cooked together into two different posts, so here is the first “Chef Inspired Dish” recipe for Vegetarian Barley Stuffed Squash. Also check out the Roasted Chicken recipe here!

Here’s a shot of the ingredients at Quality Social and my ingredients at home.  I was able to pick up a couple of ingredients from Suzie’s Farm at the Little Italy Mercato this weekend, which Chef Dustin mentioned is where they get a lot of their produce!

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

Ingredients (serves 2)

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 3 tsp basil oil (divided)
  • 1/2 cup crimini mushrooms (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup barley
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup carrots (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup pearl onions
  • 1 cup brussels sprouts (steamed)
  • 1/2 cup broccolini
  • 1/4 cup spinach

Slice the squash in half, remove the seeds and place cut side up on a baking sheet.

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

Place in a 350°F oven for 25 minutes.

If you have trouble cutting the squash in half via either strength of arm or power of knife (I think my problem was a little bit of both 😉 )  then place the whole squash in the oven for 10 minutes, remove, slice in half, then place back in the oven for an additional 15 minutes.

While the squash is cooking, begin preparing the barley, risotto style.

Add 1 tsp of basil oil to a skillet over medium heat, add the chopped mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes.  While the mushrooms are cooking, heat the vegetable stock to a boil in another pot.

Add the barley to the pan and begin ladling the stock 1/2 cup at a time into the mushrooms and barley until the liquid is absorbed (just like risotto!)

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

Continue ladling the stock into the barley until they are soft to taste, about 15 minutes.

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

While preparing the barley, put your multi-tasking pants on and prepare the vegetables.

Add 1 tsp of basil oil to a skillet over medium heat, then add the brussels sprouts, carrots and pearl onions. Sauté for 5 minutes, then add the broccolini and 1/4 cup of water to lightly steam the vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the spinach and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

At this point, the squash should be ready to come out of the oven, barley should be cooked perfectly and ready to fill the squash and the vegetables should be ready to top the dish!

For the final step, drizzle an additional tsp of basil oil on top, then you’re ready to dig in!

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

This was my version of the dish prepared at home!

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

And this was Chef Dustin’s version that I photographed at Quality Social after he prepared it for me!

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

Hopefully I made him proud with my re-creation of his delicious seasonal vegetarian dish!

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

risotto style barley, mushroom barley, stuffed squash, barley squash, vegetable stuffed squash, winter vegetables, vegetarian dish, recipes, food

Print Pin
5 stars (1 rating)
Rate this Recipe

Vegetarian Barley Stuffed Squash

This Vegetarian Barley Stuffed Squash recipe combines a risotto style mushroom barley stuffed in an acorn squash and topped with seasonal vegetables!

Ingredients

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 3 tsp basil oil, divided
  • 1/2 cup crimini mushrooms, chopped
  • 1/2 cup barley
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1/2 cup pearl onions
  • 1 cup brussels sprouts, steamed
  • 1/2 cup broccolini
  • 1/4 cup spinach

Instructions

  • Slice the squash in half, remove the seeds and place cut side up on a baking sheet.
  • Place into a 350°F oven for 25 minutes.
  • If you have trouble cutting the squash in half place the whole squash in the oven for 10 minutes, remove, slice in half, then place back in the oven for an additional 15 minutes.
  • While the squash is cooking, begin preparing the barley, risotto style.
  • Add 1 tsp of basil oil to a skillet over medium heat, add the chopped mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes. 
  • While the mushrooms are cooking, heat the vegetable stock to a boil in another pot.
  • Add the barley to the pan and begin ladling the stock 1/2 cup at a time into the mushrooms and barley until the liquid is absorbed (just like risotto!)
  • Continue ladling the stock into the barley until they are soft to taste, about 15 minutes.
  • While preparing the barley, also prepare the vegetables in another skillet.
  • Add 1 tsp of basil oil to a skillet over medium heat, then add the brussels sprouts, carrots and pearl onions. 
  • Sauté for 5 minutes, then add the broccolini and 1/4 cup of water to lightly steam the vegetables. 
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the spinach and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • At this point, the squash should be ready to come out of the oven, barley should be cooked perfectly and ready to fill the squash and the vegetables should be ready to top the dish.
  • For the final step, drizzle an additional tsp of basil oil on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving 2gCalories 377kcal (19%)Carbohydrates 70g (23%)Protein 11g (22%)Fat 8g (12%)Saturated Fat 1g (5%)Sodium 1002mg (42%)Potassium 1330mg (38%)Fiber 14g (56%)Sugar 6g (7%)Vitamin A 8070mg (161%)Vitamin C 103.6mg (126%)Calcium 145mg (15%)Iron 4.3mg (24%)
Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.