Although it takes a bit of time, this is a fabulous risotto using pearl barley which gives a different taste to a risotto using arborio rice and adds a lovely nutty flavour. The beta-glucans in pearl barley also have a cholesterol lowering effect, so combined with the portion of Flora ProActiv this recipe provides, the 2.5 portions of fruit and vegetables per person and that it is low in fat and saturated fat, this really is a cholesterol-friendly recipe.

Ingredients

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour 5 minutes

• 20 grams Flora ProActiv Light

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion finely diced

• 1 courgette chopped

• 80 grams frozen peas

• 160 grams spinach

• 150 gram pearl barley

• 1 reduced-salt vegetable stock cubes crumbled

• 1200 ml water boiled

• 1/2 tsp mixed herbs

• black pepper

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan.

2. Gently fry onion and courgette.

3. When soft, add the pearl barley and fry for 1 minute.

4. Add 200ml boiling water and the crumbled stock cube and stir well.

5. Season with black pepper and mixed herbs.

6. As the water becomes absorbed, add more in small amounts, continually stirring, until the pearl barley becomes soft (approximately 50 minutes).

7. About 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time, add the frozen peas.

8. When the pearl barley is almost soft but is slightly firm to the bite, add the spinach to wilt into the risotto.

9. When wilted, remove the risotto from the heat. Melt the Flora ProActiv into the risotto and serve.

Credit: Flora ProActiv