[FitGirlyGirl]

did nobody ever tell me about barley? Sure there have probably been cans of soup or something that had a little barley in them that I ate back when I ate canned soup, but tonight is the first time I have ever cooked and eaten just barley. I am so in love. As I do with all new foods I just cooked it plain this first time in order to get to know it. I don't need to do anything to it to love it, I love it plain. I am getting ideas though. Stir-fry with barley instead of rice. Stuffed pumpkin with barley. My husband put jelly on his and he likes it. Barley based casseroles.

Do any of you use barley, and what do you do with it?

[saksn4]

My Mom used to make a beef/barley soup. It was simply a beef vegetable soup with barley instead of noodles. Tasted pretty good too!

[calluna]

I use barley and like it - have done it mixed or topped with veggies, on its own, and in soup. I like to use a low-sodium broth to cook it sometimes.

[healthyliving]

Oh I too love barley! I love the crunch it has, and generally use this recipe to make it (minus butter)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/a...ipe/index.html

I tried making barley stew once on crockpot, but guessed I cooked it for too long and it was all ooey gooey. I love it more with each grain rightly cooked and separate.

I generally have it in place of rice. GI of barley is very low which is another plus!

[aware210]

i've never really used barley, except in beer brewing, i may have to try it sometime

[bythenumbers]

At the risk of sounding like an idiot.... where exactly in the store would I look for barley?

[FitGirlyGirl]

We found it near the rice and beans, by the pre-seasoned rices, couscous, etc.

[ubergirl]

Oh it is DEE-LICIOUS!!!

I prepare it with salt, pepper, and butter-flavored spray.

[LitChick]

Hmmm ... I've only ever had barley in soup, where it didn't seem to have much flavor, but now you've all got me interested in trying it!

[sprklemajik]

I use barley in chili sometimes, instead of beef.

[findingfawn]

Hmm I will have to try it, I have only ever had it in canned soups too Thanks for sharing

[deblep]

I have NEVER heard of eating barley by itself. I've only ever had it in beef and vegie soup/stew. What in the world does it taste like?

[JustBeckyV]

Never even though about having it by itself. I have had it in stews as well. What is the calorie - carbs and other info? lol Guess I can google it

[time2lose]

You have made me curious. I will have to try it!

[synger]

I enjoy reading about food history, and a few years ago I cooked a Mesopotamian-style dinner for my extended family when we were at a reunion. The main dish was a lamb and leek stew, served over barley. Yum-O!!

I make a beef barley stew for anyone who goes into the hospital, or rather for the folks who are visiting them. It freezes well, and it's so nice to come home and not have to cook after being at the hospital all day.

I also switch out barley with rice sometimes, like I would quinoa,. millet, or amaranth. Any sort of meat or veggie stew goes great over whole grains.

Barley has a nice chewiness, and slight stickiness, plus it has a lot of heart-healthy soluble fiber (like oatmeal does).

It's definitely a grain to re-discover (or to discover for the first time!).