Saturday, June 24, 2006
Eating Pearls
In its raw state barley is a very unattractive grain. The pearly insides are shelter by three layers of skin, two of which are inedible according to humans, but horses and cows thing that they are a delicacy. The highly processed version you find on the grocery store shelf has only the inner endosperm—referred to as the pearl. It still has much protein as a glass of milk and it is very low in gluten. In the health food stores you can find barley with its third outer layer or alerurone intact. This layer contains fiber and B vitamins. Barley is the perfect grain for light summer salads.
Today’s Lunch
Jim’s Barley Salad
Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add a dash of salt. Rinse 1 cup pearl barley (or follow the directions if you bought barley with the alerurone intact) and add to boiling water. Stir with a spoon so that the barley doesn’t settle to the bottom. Once the water returns to a boil this won’t be a problem. Reduce heat after the contents come to a second boil and cook for twenty minutes uncovered. Drain and set aside and allow to cool. Once cooled add one basked of cherry tomatoes cut in half, 1 cup frozen corn (or 1 cup fresh if available), and 1 cup black-eyed peas. Squeeze directly into the bowl the juice of 1/2 a large lemon. Add 2 tbsp walnut oil, 1 tbsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Today’s Lunch
Jim’s Barley Salad
Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add a dash of salt. Rinse 1 cup pearl barley (or follow the directions if you bought barley with the alerurone intact) and add to boiling water. Stir with a spoon so that the barley doesn’t settle to the bottom. Once the water returns to a boil this won’t be a problem. Reduce heat after the contents come to a second boil and cook for twenty minutes uncovered. Drain and set aside and allow to cool. Once cooled add one basked of cherry tomatoes cut in half, 1 cup frozen corn (or 1 cup fresh if available), and 1 cup black-eyed peas. Squeeze directly into the bowl the juice of 1/2 a large lemon. Add 2 tbsp walnut oil, 1 tbsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
