Bacon and Barley Pilaf with Celery Root

We give barley pilaf-style treatment in this recipe, which adds earthy celery root, sweet leeks and salty-smoky bacon. To tie everything together, the barley is tossed with a tangy mustard vinaigrette, which the grains absorb beautifully. Toasting barley before simmering is the key to enhancing the grain’s naturally nutty taste. Be sure to use pearled barley, which has been polished, or “pearled,” to remove the outer husk and bran layers; this reduces the cooking time. Serve this hearty, autumnal dish warm or at room temperature, garnished with fresh dill if you like.