Hope everyone has had a nice relaxing Memorial Day. We had a little family get together and grilled various and assorted meats, and I put together this unusual salad to go along with it.
I saw Alton Brown praising all things barley on one of his episodes, and this was one of the dishes he made. He is using "hulled" barley which I couldn't find. I think it is somewhat less processed than the pearl barley that I used.
You have to start with 3 1/2 to 4 cups baked barley. Alton says to combine one cup barley with one tbsp unsalted butter, tsp kosher salt and 2 cups boiling water. Cover very tightly and bake at 375 for 1 hour. Remove cover and fluff with a fork. (apparently this step is very important...don't skip it or he will hunt you down like a dawg!) Picky girl child actually liked this...as is!
The dressing is easy enough. It's 3 tbsp of fresh orange juice with a little kosher salt and 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil. (I think for kicks a splash of some sort of vinegar would be great in there too).
Next combine the barley with: 1 small head of chopped fennel, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 4 slices crumbled (cooked) bacon, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, and fresh ground black pepper.
Combine it all with the dressing, and refrigerate about 1 hour.
I really enjoyed this dish, and thought it was a nice change from the usual pasta salad. Would definitely try it again!
18 comments:
Julie- That salad sounds delicious, unusual ingredients but it sounds like it so worked, and the dressing so simple, but I bet so flavorful!
Hm, these sounds and looks interesting. Must have been good if your picky one liked it!
~ingrid
This is a beautiful and healthy looking salad! Nice job! I have some barley in my cupboard that I need to use up, this would be perfect!
This looks and sounds fantastic. I just need to find me some barley!
I've never had a barley salad - it sounds delicious and very flavorful!
That looks very yummy. Course it's from Alton it's gotta be yummy :)
Julie, thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog! I am so happy to meet new bloggers. Anyway, I adore barley, particularly for its fiber content (I'm a bit obsessed with fiber), and this salad looks fantastic! I often make a barley risotto, which you make just like a regular rice risotto, except the pearl barley must be soaked the night before. It ends up being the same creamy texture as rice risotto, but much more nutritious and filling! I look forward to following your blog!
I love barley, it is a wonderful diversion, I even use it in stews!
Lovely salad! I'm all about these ancient grains as well, they just have such a nice bite to them. And these salads are absolutely perfect for summer picnics.
Thanks!
We just watched that episode! Now I've got barley on the brain!
I find it most intriguing that you call for kosher salt...may I ask if there is a specific reason? Can other salt be used?
Is unsalted butter used due to the addition of the kosher salt? :)
I love salads!
I'm not sure why it has to be kosher. I'm sure any salt would be fine :)
I need to switch things up from the usual pasta salad more and this looks really good!
I never cook with barley - this salad looks so delicious.
thats very interesting looks very healthy and high in fiber
I have not had barley in years! gotta start eating healthier :D
Looks good! I like using whole grains in salads like this.
That looks freaking amazing, I was browsing looking for some healthy stuff, I am going to make this for sure!
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