Spelt and Wild Mushroom Pilaf

Spelt and Wild Mushroom Pilaf
Spelt is a whole wheat grain from the Mediterranean that dates back to the Roman Empire. Its earthy-nutty flavor pairs well with wild mushrooms in this simple pilaf. We used a mixture of shiitake, oyster, button, and baby bella (cremini) mushrooms.

Ingredients
1 cup spelt
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter (sub olivio)
1 (8-ounce) package exotic mushroom blend (such as shiitake, cremini, and oyster), coarsely chopped



Preparation
Place spelt in a medium bowl. Cover with hot water to 1 inch above spelt. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 3 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in spelt, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 50 minutes or until spelt is tender. Uncover and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is almost absorbed. Remove from heat; keep warm.

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped mushrooms to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. Stir mushroom mixture into spelt mixture.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: about 2/3 cup)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 171(24% from fat); FAT 4.6g (sat 1.5g,mono 1.6g,poly 0.3g); PROTEIN 6.1g; CHOLESTEROL 5mg; CALCIUM 21mg; SODIUM 312mg; FIBER 1g; IRON 2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 30.9g



Cynthia Nims , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2007