The culinary preferences of people around the world vary enormously, as they depend on climate, the characteristics of life, culture and religion of a particular nation.
The cuisine of the Russian people is a separate article, because due to the large number of ethnic groups living in the Russian Federation (and the entire former Soviet Union), it is characterized by a wide variety of dishes and ingredients used. However, the basis of the table of the inhabitants of central Russia since ancient times was those products that were abundantly grown on the fertile soils of the Black Earth Region. From here came the famous proverb: "cabbage soup and porridge - our food." The wide distribution of cereal crops has led to the fact that cereals have become an integral part of the diet of Russians.
About cereals
Everyone knows that cereals contain a large number of essential minerals, amino acids, fiber and vitamins. Rice, millet, buckwheat, semolina - a huge variety of healthy and tasty dishes can be prepared from these cereals. For many reasons, the above-mentioned cultures are the most common in our time. The older generation, hearing these words, might be indignant: "But what about barley?" In their arsenal there are delicious recipes from barley. What to cook from barley cereals - that is the question.
It is barley groats, commonly called “barley”, unfortunately, in our time is much less popular than before. She is considered a rough “soldier's meal”, not suspecting how many surprisingly delicious dishes can be prepared from barley grains.
Is pearl barley really not only healthy but also tasty?
To learn more about this, we will first answer the question of what is made of pearl barley.
From distant childhood, everyone knows barley porridge. But not everyone imagines what other recipes from pearl barley (pearl barley) exist. Currently, most people prefer to eat fast food, without thinking about the quality and usefulness of such products. But with the right approach, you can also make such a healthy dish from barley groats that you lick your fingers. This article will cover some delicious pearl barley dishes .
Pilaf cooked in a slow cooker
Pilaf is a well-known dish that is cooked differently in different countries of the world. But it is generally accepted that it should be prepared exclusively from rice. But if you try to replace this important component with barley groats, it will turn out very tasty and unusual.
Essential Ingredients
Chicken legs - 800 grams.
Onions - 1 piece.
Carrots - 2 pieces (medium).
Barley groats - 300 grams.
Garlic - 2-3 cloves.
Boiling water - 6 glasses.
Pepper and salt to taste.
Cooking method
Wash chicken legs under cold running water, dry, cut into medium-sized pieces. Place the prepared meat in a slow cooker (skin down). Set the frying mode to 45 minutes. At the same time, after 20 minutes, turn over the chicken meat, thus frying it from all sides.
Peel onion and garlic, rinse under cold water and chop into small pieces. Add the prepared ingredients to the slow cooker and sauté for another 10 minutes.
Carrots should be peeled, grated on a coarse grater and also added to other products in the slow cooker.
Then after 45 minutes, after the sound of the device, add barley groats. Rinse it first and scald it with boiling water.
To all the ingredients in the bowl, add the indicated amount of boiling water, pepper, salt (to taste) and cover. Set the pilaf cooking mode .
The cooking time is about 90 minutes. After the sound of the multicooker, leave the cooked dish to simmer for about 15 minutes.
This pilaf is very juicy and tasty. In this case, the preparation does not require a lot of ingredients and time. Enjoy your meal!
What else is made of pearl barley?
Barley grits
Long forgotten, underrated dish. Since barley is quite useful cereal, it is often used for cooking according to sanitary standards (in public canteens, kindergartens, schools). therefore
it turns out to be fresh and not as tasty as at home. But if you cook it with all your heart, it turns out very tasty, satisfying and healthy. You can be creative in preparing such a dish. So, for example, when cooking barley groats, you can add some spices at your discretion. Porridge will be fragrant and mouth-watering.
What is needed for pickle
Barley groats - 2-3 tablespoons.
Onion - 1 head.
Carrots - 2-3 pieces (medium).
Potatoes - 3 pieces (medium).
Pickled Cucumber - 2 pieces.
Cucumber pickle - 2-3 tablespoons.
Flour - 2.5 grams.
Vegetable oil - 100 milliliters.
Pepper and salt to taste.
How to make pickle with barley
Pre-soak barley groats for 10-12 hours, then put it in a pan and fill it with water. Add the indicated amount of vegetable oil there. Put on fire.
Peel the onion, rinse and chop finely.
Peel the carrots, rub on a fine grater. Put the prepared ingredients on a hot vegetable oil, fry until golden brown, add flour.
Peel the potatoes, rinse thoroughly, cut into medium cubes and add to the pan.
Prepare pickles by slicing them into medium-sized cubes. After 20-25 minutes, add them to the pan to the rest of the ingredients. Pour the required amount of brine from them there.
Salt, pepper (to taste).
Enjoy your meal!
What else is made of pearl barley?
To good porridge, you can also add prunes, pumpkin or strawberry syrup. It depends on the tastes of everyone. From it, it is possible to prepare soft pancakes or meat casseroles. You can also add some forest mushrooms to the soup or a pinch of beans. It all depends on your imagination.
After all of the above, the error of people who consider pearl barley to be something banal, tasteless and not worthy of a place in the diet of a modern person becomes obvious. Everything that is made from barley is nutritious and most importantly - it is useful. And if you approach the cooking process creatively, it’s also very tasty! Truly “porridge is our food!”