How to Cook Pearl Barley

Barley is known for its several nutritive values and is used in different types of recipes from the very ancient time. It is rich in vitamins, proteins, fibers and complex carbohydrates. It is found in many different forms among which pearl barley is one of the most commonly used form. It is as nutritious as barley and is used for different purposes like in making soups, salads, curries, desserts, baked products, etc. Pearl barley is further divided into two types: one that cooks very fast and the other one is common and takes a long time to be cooked.

There is a huge list of barley benefits, hence having pearl barley in the diet is one of the most nutritious food to have. There are many different ways of cooking pearl barley. Following are some of the recipes and ways of cooking barley which will not only give you good health but will also be a treat for your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 2 cup pearl barley
• 6 cups water
• Salt to taste

Method
This is one of the easiest ways to cook barley. Wash the barley and remove all the dirt and stones. Take a saucepan and place it on a high flame. Now add water to the saucepan with the mentioned amount of pearl barley. Put salt to taste and bring it to boil. Slow down the flame and cover the lid and let it simmer in low heat for 40-45 minutes. After 40 minutes, check if the barley is cooked by poking a fork. Once it becomes tender and soft, your pearl barley is ready to be eaten.

Ingredients

• 12 cups chicken stock
• 8 large chicken thighs
• 3/2 cup pearl barley
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves freshly minced garlic

• 16 ounces of sliced mushrooms
• 8 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
• 2 medium onion (peeled and diced)
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Canned tomatoes with the juice
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves (chopped)

Method
Collect all the ingredients and cut them and slice them as mentioned. Place a pot over medium flame and put olive oil. Now place the chicken thighs in the oil and cook them until they turn golden brown in color. Now put 4 cups of stock in the pot, reduce the flame to medium low and cover the pot with a lid. Let it cook for 35 to 40 minutes till the chicken gets completely cooked. Keep this cooked chicken aside till it gets cooled, then put it in the refrigerator.

Now take the remaining stock and rest of the ingredients: pearl barley, carrots, minced garlic, onion, tomato juice, mushrooms, thyme, oregano and basil in the pot and let them cook on low heat for about 90 minutes. By the time all these ingredients get cooked, take out the refrigerated chicken. Remove the skin and discard all the bones.

Chop it properly and add it to the cooking soup in the last 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and check the soup. If you want it thicker then let it cook for some more time and if it is too thick then you can also add water. Garnish it with parsley leaves and serve it hot.

Ingredients

• 2 cup pearl barley
• 2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2/3 grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 4 clove minced garlic
• 8 cups cherry tomatoes
• 4 cups cooked corn kernels

Method
Take a pot, place it over medium flame and add water. Bring the water to boil and add barley to it. Reduce the flame and then cover the lid. Let it simmer for about 45-50 minutes till the barley becomes soft and tender. Drain the water and cool it under cold water and again drain the water. Meanwhile take a blender and put basil, Parmesan, oil, salt, pepper and garlic and mix it. Take them in another container and add barley, cherry tomatoes and corn. Mix them properly and refrigerate it for better taste.

These were some of the easiest ways of cooking pearl barley. So, try out these recipes and get a health food with a yummy taste. As pearl barley has its own taste you can experiment with different products and enjoy it to the fullest.