The Perfect Meal for Two: Slow Cooker Root Veggie Barley Risotto

Is there anything better than a set-it-and-forget-it-meal? Not only are they easy to make, but cleanup is a breeze too! This recipe from Vegan Slow Cooking for Two or Just for You is a fun take on risotto and a great way to incorporate some delicious and nutritious root vegetables into your dinner.

Ever since I got a winter CSA, I’ve been in love with the humble turnip and greens of all kinds. You have to get creative when the same veggies get dropped on your doorstep every week. Using barley gives a much-needed change from the typical rice and allows this risotto to cook all day.

For the morning
Ingredients:
2 cups (475 ml) water
½ cup (92 g) barley
½ cup (65 g) diced carrots
½ cup (75 g) diced turnips or rutabagas, peeled
½ cup (67 g) diced sweet potatoes or (70 g) winter squash
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried sage

For the evening
Ingredients:
1 cup (56 g) minced greens (such as turnips, collards, kale, etc.)
½ teaspoon lemon zest
salt and pepper, to taste

In the morning: add all the morning ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

Thirty minutes before serving: add the greens and lemon zest. right before serving, add salt and pepper to taste. also add more oregano and/or sage if needed.

Yield: about 3 cups (580 g)
Per 1-cup serving: 158.8 calories; 0.8 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 4.4 g protein; 33.6 g carbohydrate; 7.1 g dietary fiber; 0 mg cholesterol
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 7½ to 9½ hours

Did You Know?
What’s the difference between turnips and rutabagas? Rutabagas are usually larger than turnips, have yellowish flesh that is a little starchier, and are less perfectly round than most turnips. If you’re buying rutabagas in a grocery store, they are often waxed, but you will need to peel rutabagas whether they’re waxed or not.

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If you have a small family or are looking for better-portioned vegan meals (that don’t force you to eat chili for a week straight!), Vegan Slow Cooking for Two or Just for You is the perfect resource for you. Featuring recipes geared specifically for use with a 1.5- to 2-quart slow cooker, you’ll find endless meal ideas that you can make with minimal effort and maximum taste. Just prep a few items the night before or morning of, and come home to a hot meal – or even side or dessert – the moment you walk in the door! The little slow cooker is so easy to use that it makes cooking everyday a snap, so you can have a healthy variety of foods at a fraction of the cost of eating out. Inside, you’ll find a whole new world of food to fall in love with, from breakfast-y Pumpkin Polenta to comforting White Bean Quinoa Gumbo to luscious Blueberry Lemon Cake. You’ll be amazed at what your little slow cooker can do!