Herby Barley Salad with Butter-Basted Mushrooms

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Any chewy grain, such as wheat berries, farro, or even brown rice, can replace the barley.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup hulled, hull-less, or pearl barley
Kosher salt
2 shallots, thinly sliced into rings
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms (such as maitake, chanterelle, and/or oyster), torn or cut into large pieces
Freshly ground black pepper
2 sprigs thyme
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1½ ounces Parmesan, shaved, plus more for serving
RECIPE PREPARATION
Cook barley in a medium pot of boiling salted water until tender, 50–60 minutes for hulled or hull-less, 20–30 minutes for pearl. Drain; spread out on a baking sheet and let cool.

Meanwhile, cook shallots in vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling pan occasionally to keep shallots from burning, until golden brown, 5–7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shallots to paper towels to drain; season with salt. Let cool. Set shallot cooking oil aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until just beginning to smoke. Arrange mushrooms in skillet in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until undersides are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper, toss, and continue to cook, tossing often and reducing heat as needed to avoid scorching, until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes longer.

Reduce heat to medium and add thyme sprigs, garlic, and butter to skillet. Tip skillet toward you so butter pools at edge and use a spoon to baste mushrooms with foaming butter; cook until butter smells nutty. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a small bowl, leaving thyme and garlic behind.

Toss cooled barley, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, 1½ oz. Parmesan, and 2 Tbsp. reserved shallot oil in a large bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms; toss again to combine.

Just before serving, top with fried shallots and more shaved Parmesan.

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