Barley, chickpea and eggplant casserole with parsley pesto

Discover a hearty and delicious Barley, Chickpea, and Eggplant Casserole with Parsley Pesto. Made with wholesome ingredients like barley, eggplant, chickpeas, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, this nourishing dish is topped with a refreshing parsley pesto and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Perfect for a healthy, satisfying meal that's packed with flavor and nutrition.

  • 07 Jun 2024
  • Cook time 40 min
  • Prep time 20 min
  • 4 Servings
  • 12 Ingredients

Barley, chickpea and eggplant casserole with parsley pesto

This Barley, Chickpea, and Eggplant Casserole with Parsley Pesto is a nutritious and flavorful vegetarian dish that’s sure to satisfy. It's packed with hearty ingredients like eggplant, barley, zucchini, and chickpeas, all brought together with a vibrant parsley pesto.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
16g
1 eggplant
450g
1 onion
160g
1 stalk celery
130g
2 garlic cloves
6g
2 tbsp lemon zest
30g
3/4 cup pearl barley
170g
1 cup vegetable broth
230g
1/3 can canned chickpeas
130g
2 zucchini
600g
1.50 cups cherry tomatoes
270g
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
20g

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare Vegetables:
- Dice the eggplant, onion, celery, and zucchini.
- Mince the garlic.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
3. Cook the Vegetables:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add the garlic and lemon zest to the skillet. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add Eggplant and Zucchini:
- Stir in the diced eggplant and zucchini. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
5. Prepare Barley and Chickpeas:
- Add the pearl barley to the skillet, stirring to combine with the vegetables.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes until the barley is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
6. Combine Ingredients:
- Once the barley is cooked, stir in the drained chickpeas and cherry tomatoes.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
7. Bake:
- Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Serve:
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your hearty Barley, Chickpea, and Eggplant Casserole with a drizzle of parsley pesto on top if desired.

Tips:

- Make sure to cut the eggplant into uniform pieces for even cooking.

- Rinse the pearl barley under cold water before cooking to remove any excess starch.

- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control the salt content in the dish.

- You can prepare the parsley pesto in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

- If you prefer a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of coconut milk or cream to the casserole.

- Roasting the cherry tomatoes before adding them to the casserole can enhance their sweetness and depth of flavor.

- Feel free to substitute zucchini with your favorite squash or even add other veggies like bell peppers for more variety.

Serve the casserole hot, topped with a generous drizzle of parsley pesto and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a comforting and healthy meal. Enjoy this delightful combination of wholesome ingredients and robust flavors.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size550 grams
Energy
Calories 320kcal13%
Protein
Protein 13g9%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 60g18%
Fiber 16g43%
Sugar 15g15%
Fat
Fat 7g9%
Saturated 1.72g6%
Cholesterol 4.35mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 70ug8%
Choline 60mg11%
Vitamin B1 0.30mg25%
Vitamin B2 0.33mg25%
Vitamin B3 4.19mg26%
Vitamin B6 0.65mg38%
Vitamin B9 160ug39%
Vitamin B12 0.07ug3%
Vitamin C 44mg49%
Vitamin E 1.13mg8%
Vitamin K 27ug23%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 140mg11%
Copper, Cu 0.54mg0%
Iron, Fe 3.29mg30%
Magnesium, Mg 110mg26%
Phosphorus, P 310mg25%
Potassium, K 1210mg36%
Selenium, Se 20ug37%
Sodium, Na 310mg21%
Zinc, Zn 2.57mg23%
Water
Water 460g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2500 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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