Kale Pesto Barley
Barley really shines in this recipe when added to the kale pesto. Although you could serve this dish as a meal on its own, I find it works best as a side to a vegetable or meat.
Cooking with Barley always brings back fond memories of Morocco due to the role it plays in Berber weddings. In the Berber culture, on the night of the wedding, the groom will bring his wife a container of barley when she is to cross the threshold into the house. The bride will take the barley and sprinkle it on her right side first, then front, left, and finally behind her as she steps forward into the house. This ritual is believed to bring luck and prosperity to the newlyweds. In the years ahead, whenever there is a good harvest year the bride will receive the credit for bringing the luck and prosperity to the home.
In addition to bringing luck and prosperity to your relationship barley has several other great qualities. One of the most important being that it is cheap! Yes, Barley is very cheap and generally can be found in the bulk food sections of most grocery stores. It is also very versatile and can be an excellent alternative for foods such as pasta and white rice or added to soup, stew, salad. Finally, it is filling! Barely is a great choice for promoting fullness and satisfying your appetite.
One of the many health benefits this grain has is high insoluble fiber which helps with digestion and weight loss. It is also full of antioxidants and is a good source of vitamin B6, magnesium, chromium, copper, zinc, iron, and phosphorus. Soaking barley overnight will improve the absorption of these nutrients.
The combination of barley and kale pesto makes this recipe rich and nutritious. The nutty flavor of the barley combines with this garlic and lemon kale pesto to make this recipe smell and taste amazing.
Heart healthy: Yes
Diabetic friendly: Yes
Low calorie: Yes
Nutrient dense: Yes
Guilt-free: Yes and yes
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients:
Kale pesto (take a look on how to make kale pesto here).
Two cups of dry barley
Three cups of water
A pinch of salt
A few lemon slices to garnish if desired
Directions:
NOTE: Soaking barley will speed up the cooking time. IF you have an instant pot or pressure cooker, you can skip the instruction below and cook to your appliance’s directions. This will also reduce the cooking time to a matter of minutes.
Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water, soaked barley, and a pinch of salt. Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until the barley is tender and soft. Stir often. May need to add little water until it cooked.
Once the barley is tender, drain the excess water, and set aside.
In a bowl, stir the barley into the kale pesto mix one ¼ of the mixture at a time until finished.
Place the barley kale pesto in a serving bowl and garnish with lemon slices. Voila! You have an easy and delicious side.