5 from 12 votes
Mushroom Barley Casserole (Czech Houbový Kuba)
Mushroom Barley Casserole, also known as Czech Houbový Kuba, is a hearty baked dish combining cooked pearl barley with dried mushrooms, sautéed onions, garlic, and marjoram, bound with lard or butter. The barley provides a tender yet chewy base enriched by the deep earthy flavor of European-style dried mushrooms and the fragrant seasoning, creating a savory side or main dish with traditional Czech roots.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
4
people
Calories:
328 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Czech
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cups barley pearled
- 7 handful dried mushrooms ideally of European origin; one handful has about 5 grams
- 2 Tablespoons lard (or unsalted butter)
- 2 small onion peeled and finely chopped
- ½ Tablespoon marjoram dried
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and pressed
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Place 7 handful dried mushrooms in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook for ten minutes.
- Set the cooked mushrooms aside and let them cool a bit. Drain the mushrooms, reserving the mushroom stock, and chop them coarsely.
- Cook 1 ⅓ cups pearled barley in salted water according to the package instructions. You can replace some of the water with mushroom broth. This will give the mushroom Kuba a more intense flavor. After the barley is cooked, pour off any excess liquid.
- Peel and finely chop 2 small onion. Peel 3 cloves garlic and press them.
- In a high-sided frying pan, sauté the onions in 2 Tablespoons lard or unsalted butter until golden brown. Add the cooked barley, coarsely chopped mushrooms, crushed garlic, and ½ Tablespoon dried marjoram. Season with 1 ½ teaspoons salt.
- Grease the baking dish with a piece of lard or butter. Pour in the mushroom barley mixture, smoothing the surface.
- Place the mushroom Kuba in an oven preheated to 360 °F and bake for about 20 minutes. Do not cover the casserole dish. The surface will turn lightly golden, and the barley will gain a fine crunch.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe serves 4 to 6 portions, making it suitable for group meals or family dinners.
- Regional serving varies: in the Czech Krkonoše Mountains, it is often served with sauerkraut or pickled vegetables for added acidity.
- For festive occasions like Christmas Eve, casseroles of Kuba are placed centrally for communal serving.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving to add color and a fresh herbal note.
- Pearled barley is preferred for its tender texture and faster cooking time compared to hulled barley.
- Leftovers freeze well for up to three months when stored airtight, retaining their flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
328kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Trans Fat
0.03g
(2%)
Sodium
1172mg
(49%)
Potassium
307mg
(7%)
Fiber
12g
(48%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
36IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
42mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 328
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 328kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Sodium | 1172mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 307mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 36IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.