One for the Table: Light salad with barley is a nice alternative to heavy pasta
Barley is a wonderfully versatile grain with a rich nutty flavor and a nice chewy, pasta-like consistency. According to the Whole Grains Council, "Barley is highest in fiber of all the whole grains, with common varieties clocking in at about 17 percent fiber." It's a great addition to hearty soups, but it's also nice in summer salads and makes a perfect alternative to pasta. This recipe is easy to throw together early in the day and stored in the refrigerator, giving the ingredients and chance to blend and become more flavorful. You can even add other favorite summer ingredients like cucumbers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes.
Barley Summer Salad
Serves 8
8 large lettuce leaves
1 cup Bob's Red Mill Pearl Barley
3 cups water or vegetable broth
1 can organic garbanzo beans, rinsed well and drained
1/2 cup chopped raw unsalted cashews
1 cup carrots, shredded
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