A pearled barley salad with carrots and fennel is today’s proposal. It can become a great main course if paired with legumes such as chickpeas, lentils or even marinated tofu, for example.
Barley is a wonderful cereal, excellent for digestion and for keeping cholesterol and triglycerides under control.
It might not be very suitable if you suffer from irritable bowel because it tends to cause a bit of bloating, but if your gut is fine don’t give up barley.
In this case I had cooked plenty to also use it in a soup, and with the remaining barley I prepared this pearled barley salad with carrots and fennel.
See many barley recipes if you, too, like this ancient cereal.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 40 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, Autumn, Winter and Spring
Ingredients Pearled barley salad with carrots and fennel
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 2 carrots
- 1/2 fennel bulb
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 1 sprig basil
- 1 pinch unrefined sea salt
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Steps Pearled barley salad with carrots and fennel
First of all, wash well and, if you can, soak the barley. Pour water into a pot, add a little salt, bring to a boil and add the barley.
Cook over medium-low heat for 40 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, wash, peel and slice the carrots into rounds and wash and thinly slice the fennel.
In a skillet, add a drizzle of oil and cook the carrots and fennel together for 20 minutes, seasoning with salt as needed.
In a bowl, place the warm barley, the carrots and fennel, drizzle with lemon juice, grate in the zest and add it as well. Add the pine nuts, torn basil, another drizzle of oil and salt; mix well and serve.
Tips from Timo e Lenticchie
Store leftover barley in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days.
You can also blitz any leftovers and turn them into delicious barley patties.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How many types of barley are there?
There is pearled barley, hull-less barley (without the husk but still with the germ), and finally whole barley (hulled barley, also called “orzo mondo”).
Does barley aid digestion?
Yes, barley aids digestion because it stimulates the digestive juices.
Can barley flour be used in desserts?
Yes, barley flour can be used in baking; in fact it has a very pleasant flavor.
