Pearl barley-to soak or not to soak?

Angelraesunshine

some ideas please

My Nan always used to pack out food by adding pearl barley to it ends up i love the stuff, I love adding pearl barley to my stews and soups etc but OH hates it he eats almost anything but will complain if i put the barley in.

What can i do so i still get to eat it and so he wont complain? any ideas welcome please

niceninja

Hi
Might be worth googling a recipe for pearl barley risotto. I haven't quite figured out how to do the links yet - be patient with me as this is only the second time I've posted.:T

daisyroots_2

I have exactly the same problem - OH can't abide it. So I never have it, and will watch this thread with interest to see what others suggest

jcr16

my mum used to make a drink from it.

i made it a couple years back. can't remember the excate recipe. but u soak it i think for a bit in water , then u boil it with a bit of sugar and lemon squeesed into it. then when it turns a pink colour u strain it off and wait till it cool's.

it a sort of detox drink if i remember rightly. but i like it with a spash of lemon cordial in it. i could drink it all day long. it gorgeous on a really hot day. or on a cold day i like it warm when it has been freshly made.

sorry can't help with it in a meal as i have never added it to a meal.

thriftlady_2

I've made barley water too, I used redcurrant juice instead of lemon -it was very refreshing. Must have another go.

I can't really think of a way of disguising barley I'm afraid. I add it to soups and stews, but also make it into pilaff/risotto dishes. My lot love it.

lil_me

I love it in corned beef hash, I always put 'too much' in I am told but I love it in that I haven't made any for ages but will always have some in the winter time.

Only way I can think of disguise is blend it maybe ?

DebtphobicDeirdre

I buy pot barley- I'm told its the whole version- like the "brown" in brown rice with all the goodness left in. It can be bought at healthfood shops. I make a broth with leftover roast meat,carrot, celery, leek, onion and one or two handfuls of barley. It can be simmered in a pan or bunged in slow cooker on Monday morning.

Angelraesunshine

thriftlady wrote: »

I've made barley water too, I used redcurrant juice instead of lemon -it was very refreshing. Must have another go.

I can't really think of a way of disguising barley I'm afraid. I add it to soups and stews, but also make it into pilaff/risotto dishes. My lot love it.

can you tell me how to make the barley water please

Paige

Help - I am making a chicken casserole for tonights dinner and I brought some sains Pearl Barley to put in it. It says on the packet that it does not need soaking but to simmer it in water. Do I need to do this and then put it in the casserole or do I just put it into the casserole without cooking. The instructions are not clear. Because we are eating late I was going to put it the slow cooker. Thanks to any advice. Paige XX

mo1_2

when im making a casserole i just put the barley in at the begining of cooking,and its always fine,it just needs a while to cook..mo

Paige

Thanks mo - how much do I put in . The casserole is for 4 of us.Has all the usual onions, carrots and mushroom in it.