Greek Barley Salad: A Refreshing Grain Dish for Any Season

Description

Delightfully vibrant and nutritious, this Greek Barley Salad is a perfect dish that embraces the freshness of summer with the satisfying heartiness of barley, making it an ideal choice for both spring and summer dining. This recipe utilizes quick-cooking barley, allowing for a swift preparation that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Should you choose to use regular barley, simply extend the cooking time to approximately 45 minutes, ensuring the grains become tender and fully cooked. This salad can serve as a side dish or a light meal, offering a wholesome blend of vegetables and a zesty dressing that enhances its delightful taste.

Recipe Details

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Grains
• Servings: 4
• Rating: ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

Ingredients and Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Broth: In a medium-sized saucepan, bring 2 cups of vegetable broth to a boil over medium-high heat. The aromatic qualities of the broth will impart a delightful flavor to the barley, enhancing the overall taste of the salad.

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2. Cook the Barley: Once the broth reaches a rolling boil, add in 1 cup of quick-cooking barley. Stir gently to incorporate, then cover the saucepan, reduce the heat to low, and allow the barley to simmer for about 12 minutes, or until tender. If using regular barley, extend the cooking time to approximately 45 minutes, checking periodically for doneness.

3. Cool the Barley: After cooking, remove the saucepan from heat. If there is excess liquid, drain the barley as needed. Spread the barley on a large plate or in a shallow dish to cool completely, which will help prevent it from wilting the fresh vegetables when combined.

4. Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled barley with the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and pitted kalamata olives. The vivid colors and textures of these vegetables will make for a visually appealing salad that is sure to entice everyone at the table.

5. Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the reserved 1/4 cup of vegetable broth, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper to taste. This zesty dressing will enhance the flavors of the salad, providing a perfect balance to the freshness of the vegetables.

6. Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the dressing over the barley and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until well combined, ensuring each grain of barley and vegetable piece is coated in the vibrant dressing.

7. Add the Feta Cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad. Toss gently once more to incorporate the feta without breaking it down too much, as its creamy texture will add an additional layer of richness to the dish.

8. Serve: For a beautiful presentation, serve the barley salad over fresh romaine lettuce leaves, which will not only add crunch but also enhance the dish’s appeal. This salad can be enjoyed immediately, but for an even deeper flavor, let it rest for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Conclusion

This Greek Barley Salad is a delightful addition to any meal, offering a wonderful balance of textures and flavors while remaining light yet satisfying. Its nutritional profile makes it an excellent choice for health-conscious eaters, and its vibrant colors are sure to brighten any table. Enjoy this dish as a refreshing side or a fulfilling main course during those warm, sun-filled days!