Barley Salad Vinaigrette Recipes

Steps:

• Cook the barley in a medium pot in plenty of salted water until tender but still chewy, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and cool.
• In a food processor, combine the tahini, scallions, jalapeno, garlic, vinegar and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Process until you have a smooth, thick green dressing. If the mixture is too thick, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin to about the consistency of pancake batter.
• Combine the vinaigrette and cooked barley and mix to thoroughly coat the barley. You may not use all the vinaigrette. Set up two serving bowls. Evenly divide the barley between the two bowls. Top each with the olives, tomatoes and capers. Season with a pinch more salt and garnish with the cilantro.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Place the squash on a baking tray and toss with olive oil. Roast for 20 mins. Meanwhile, boil the barley for about 25 mins in salted water until tender, but al dente. While this is happening, whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Drain the barley, then tip it into a bowl and pour over the dressing. Mix well and let it cool.
• Boil the broccoli in salted water until just tender, then drain and rinse in cold water. Drain and pat dry. Add the broccoli and remaining ingredients to the barley and mix well. This will keep for 3 days in the fridge and is delicious warm or cold.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the beets individually in foil. Bake until tender when pierced with a fork, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. When cool enough to handle, peel the beets and cut into bite-size pieces.
• While the beets are roasting, make the barley: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the barley and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until al dente.
• While the barley is cooking, make the salad dressing: Squeeze the juice from the lemon (about 2 tablespoons) into a small bowl. Add the garlic and date honey, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the olive oil and set aside.
• When the barley is cooked, drain, rinse and drain again. Taste, adding more salt, if necessary, and let cool completely.
• When ready to serve, use your hands to gently mix the lettuce and herbs in a large salad bowl and scatter on the barley, beets, celery, cucumbers, shallots, figs and grapes. Top with the olives, pomegranate seeds and feta, and sprinkle on the dressing. Mix at the table and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the sliced carrots in a large roasting tin with the shallots, garlic and fennel seeds. Drizzle over the oil, toss everything together and season. Roast for 35-40 mins until everything has caramelised and the carrots are tender.
• Meanwhile, boil the pearl barley in a large pan of salted water until al dente, about 30 mins. Make the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together with some seasoning. Remove the carrots from the oven.
• Strain the pearl barley and toss through the dressing, carrots, dill, parsley and half the cheese. Finish with a few of the fennel tops and the remaining cheese. Serve warm or cold with a slice or two of warm buttered soda bread, if you like.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the barley grains on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant and golden, 20 minutes.
• Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the celery root with 2 tablespoons oil, .25 teaspoon salt and pepper. On a separate baking sheet, toss the mushrooms with .25 cup oil, .5 teaspoon salt and pepper. Roast both, tossing occasionally, until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes for the mushrooms, and 30 to 40 minutes for the celery root. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot, bring 10 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Add the barley and simmer until tender, 45 to 50 minutes; drain. Add to the mushrooms and celery root.
• In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, scallions, celery leaves, .25 teaspoon salt and pepper. Whisk in 3 tablespoons oil. Toss the vinaigrette and diced celery stalk into the salad. Coarsely chop .25 cup parsley leaves and add to the salad. Toss in the remaining whole leaves, tearing larger leaves into smaller pieces. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature.