Za'atar Roasted Mushrooms and Eggplant with Barley and Tomatoes
 
 
Fall mushrooms and eggplant roasted with za'atar are tossed together with late-season tomatoes and barley for a late-summer early fall dish.
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Ingredients
  • 2 cups baby eggplant, chopped in ½ cubes (or regular eggplant, peeled)
  • 6 oz. porcini mushrooms
  • 8 oz. cremini mushrooms
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Za'atar spice blend (or your favorite spice blend with thyme)
  • 4-6 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 large shallot, peeled and diced.
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • 3 cups water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup tomatoes (seeded and chopped or cherry tomatoes sliced)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Prep mushrooms by cutting off rough stem and quartering (halving if mushrooms are small)
  3. On a large sheet pan, toss mushrooms and eggplant with 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil to coat and dust with 2-3 Tablespoons za'atar until all the vegetables are lightly coated.
  4. Roast in the oven for about 15-20 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly browned.
  5. Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil (enough to lightly cover bottom of the pan) over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add shallots and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and heat for 30 seconds.
  6. Add barley and stir to coat with olive oil mixture. Keep stirring over medium heat until barley lightly browns. Add water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  7. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer uncovered according to directions, usually about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on barley to ensure there is enough water. Different barley cooks at different rates, consult directions. Add more water if necessary.
  8. Once barley is softened, add roasted vegetables and tomatoes. (raw or broil for a few minutes until blistered)
  9. Drizzle with olive oil, toss gently and taste for seasoning. Add more salt, pepper or za'atar, as necessary.
Recipe by FamilyandForks at https://www.familyandforks.com/zaatar-roasted-mushrooms-eggplant-barley-tomatoes/