On chilly evenings, there’s nothing like a bowl of something warm and hearty to make you feel at home. This comforting pearl barley dinner is like a hug in a bowl, offering a mix of rich flavors and satisfying textures. Perfect for a cozy night in, it’s a dish that warms both the body and soul. With each spoonful, you’ll savor the delightful blend of wholesome ingredients that make this recipe an instant favorite.
Steps
- For Barley Gratin with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, roast cherry tomatoes until they’re sweet, then mix with cooked barley. Top with breadcrumbs or salted crackers for added crunch, and bake until golden.
- To make Mushroom Barley Soup with Mini Meatballs, prepare mini meatballs using a mixture of ground sirloin, egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese. Simmer them in a pot with mushrooms and barley until cooked through and flavorful.
- For Lemony Barley Salad with Kale Pesto, puree some kale with lemon juice and olive oil for a pesto. Mix this with cooked barley and additional torn kale leaves.
- Prepare Barley and Rice with Sesame Oil and Chives by cooking barley and rice together. Add toasted sesame oil and minced chives for a delicious Korean-inspired side dish.
- Zucchini and Spinach Soup with Barley, Coriander, and Watercress is made by simmering barley in a vegetable broth with zucchini and spinach. Add coriander and watercress just before serving for freshness.
- Mashed Banana and Whole-Grain Porridge is made by cooking precooked barley or other grains. Mash a banana into the warm porridge and serve with your choice of toppings.
- Barley Crêpes with Cabbage and Sauce Pierre involves making crêpes using whole wheat and malted barley flours. Fill with grilled cabbage and serve with a rich vermouth and butter sauce.
- Chicken and Barley Stew with Dill and Lemon is a one-pot meal where pearled barley replaces the rice in a chicken soup. Finish with fresh dill, lemon juice, and grated cheese.
- Barley Risotto with Garlicky Mushrooms uses barley instead of rice for a hearty risotto. Sauté mushrooms with garlic and stir into the cooked barley with beef or vegetable broth.
- Ultimate Veggie Burgers combine pearl barley, chickpeas, mushrooms, and panko for a flavorful patty. Ensure even panko distribution by mixing thoroughly before forming the patties.
- For Warm Broccoli and Barley Pilaf, toast barley in butter, then boil it. Mix with fresh broccoli and serve as a light, nutritious dish.
- Three-Grain Cereal with Dates and Cinnamon involves cooking pearled barley and quinoa. Serve warm with chopped dates and cinnamon for a naturally sweet breakfast.
- Barley Salad with Parsley and Walnuts is made by mixing cooked barley with walnuts, parsley, and ricotta salata cheese. Dress with lemon-garlic vinaigrette for a refreshing salad.
- To prepare Spicy Grain Soup, cook barley, brown rice, and bulgur in a spicy broth. Add your choice of vegetables for a hearty, fiber-rich meal.
- Pearled Barley Salad with Apples, Pomegranate Seeds, and Pine Nuts combines barley with apples, pomegranate seeds, and pine nuts. Season with thyme for a fragrant dish.
- Yayla Çorbas? (Turkish Yogurt Soup) with Velibah is created by blending yogurt, barley, and dried mint. Serve with velibah or pide bread for a traditional touch.
- For Pearl Barley Porridge with Ham and Eggs, simmer barley in apple cider with chicken stock and kombu. Serve with ham and eggs for a savory breakfast.
- Mushroom-Barley Soup gets its flavor from beef stock. Cook mushrooms and barley in the stock for a comforting, traditional soup.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes, roasted
- Barley
- Breadcrumbs or salted crackers
- Mushrooms
- Mini meatballs (made from sirloin, egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese)
- Lemon juice
- Kale, pureed and torn
- Olive oil
- White rice
- Toasted sesame oil
- Minced chives
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Coriander
- Watercress
- Mashed banana
- Whole-grain barley
- Quinoa
- Wheat berries
- Cabbage, grilled and fermented
- Whole wheat flour
- Malted barley flour
- Butter
- Dry vermouth
- Chicken
- Fresh dill
- Lemon
- Fresh tarragon
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
- Oyster mushrooms, sautéed
- Vegetable stock or beef broth
- Pearl barley
- Chickpeas
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Dates
- Cinnamon
- Walnuts
- Parsley
- Ricotta salata cheese
- Lemon-garlic vinaigrette
- Brown rice
- Bulgur
- Apples
- Pomegranate seeds
- Pine nuts
- Thyme
- Yogurt
- Dried mint
- Pide bread or velibah (stuffed with feta and potato)
- Ham
- Eggs
- Apple cider
- Chicken stock
- Kombu
- Beef stock
FAQ
- What makes barley a versatile ingredient in cooking?
- Barley has a nutty flavor and a pasta-like texture, making it a great alternative to rice. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, salads, and even breakfast cereals.
- How can I use barley in a breakfast dish?
- Barley can be prepared as a hot cereal with fruit or combined with other grains in a porridge. Chef Justin Chapple recommends using precooked grains like barley for a quick and wholesome breakfast.
- What are some unique ways to incorporate barley into salads?
- Barley can be served warm or at room temperature in salads. It pairs well with ingredients like walnuts, parsley, and ricotta salata cheese, or with apples, pomegranate seeds, and pine nuts for a heartier option.
- Can barley be used in traditional risotto recipes?
- Yes, barley can be used as a substitute for rice in risotto. Chef Naomi Pomeroy creates a hearty barley risotto with sautéed oyster mushrooms, which can be made vegetarian by using vegetable stock instead of beef broth.
- How does barley enhance the flavor of soups?
- Barley adds a hearty texture and nutty flavor to soups, making them more substantial. It is used in various soup recipes, like mushroom barley soup or spicy grain soup, increasing their fiber content and depth.
Tips
- To enhance the crunch in your Barley Gratin with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, consider substituting breadcrumbs with salted crackers.
- For a time-saving twist in Mushroom Barley Soup, replace simmered beef with quick-made meatballs using a mix of sirloin, egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese.
- When making Lemony Barley Salad with Kale Pesto, use kale in two ways: blend some leaves with lemon juice and olive oil for a vibrant pesto and mix others into the barley for added texture.
- For a heartier Chicken and Barley Stew, swap rice for pearled barley and garnish with fresh tarragon and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano to elevate the flavor profile.
Equipment
- Barley Cooker or Multi-Cooker – If you plan to frequently cook grains like barley, a multi-cooker or a dedicated barley cooker can be useful for consistent results.
- Food Processor or Blender – Necessary for making kale pesto or pureeing ingredients for soups.
- Crêpe Pan – Specifically designed for making crêpes, which can be useful for the Barley Crêpes with Cabbage and Sauce Pierre.
- Grain Mill – If you want to grind your own barley flour for recipes like crêpes.
- Immersion Blender – Useful for blending soups directly in the pot.
- Mandoline Slicer – Handy for uniformly slicing vegetables thinly, which can be important for salads or garnishes.
