Monica Galetti's steamed salmon with pearl barley recipe

• 4 salmon fillets (160g each)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 bunches asparagus
• 200 g (7.1oz) pearl barley
• 650 ml (22.9fl oz) chicken stock (plus 250ml extra, reserve)
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 50 ml (1.8fl oz) white wine
• 30 g (1.1oz) butter
• 80 g (2.8oz) cooked and shelled peas
• 60 g (2.1oz) bacon lardons
• 300 ml (10.6fl oz) chicken stock
• 100 ml (3.5fl oz) single cream

1. Cut off the tips of the asparagus.
2. From the stems, snap off the woody ends and reserve for sauce.
3. Slice the middle stems on an angle and set aside.
4. Heat a non-stick pan, cook the lardons for about 1 minute, until golden brown, and set aside.
5. Make your sauce by chopping the woody ends of the asparagus into pieces and placing them in a saucepan with the 300ml stock and bring to the boil.
6. Then turn down to a medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Blitz and pass through a coarse chinois, place back into saucepan, add the cream and season with salt and pepper.
8. Heat a medium sized saucepan on medium high heat and drizzle with a little oil.
9. Add the chopped shallot and sweat for 1 minute, then add the pearl barley and sweat for another minute.
10. Add the wine and bring to the boil.
11. Add half of the stock and bring to boil then turn down to a medium heat, cook out until the liquid is well absorbed stirring occasionally.
12. Add the remaining stock and cook until the barley is tender- about 20-25 minutes.
13. When ready, add the asparagus stems and tips cut in an angle and cook out 3-4 minutes.
14. Add extra stock as needed to keep the ragout moist, and add the cooked and shelled peas, bacon and gently stir
15. Place the Salmon on a small tray and season with salt and pepper.
16. Finely grate a little of the lemon zest on top.
17. Bring the steamer to the boil on a high heat and place the Salmon inside.
18. Cover and cook for 3 minutes for a pink in the middle salmon.
19. Serve the ragout in a bowl with the steamed Salmon on top, and the sauce.

salmon, lemon zest, bunches asparagus, pearl barley, chicken, shallot, white wine, butter, peas, bacon, chicken, cream

Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/29365/monica-galettis-steamed-salmon-with-pearl-barley-recipe (may not work)