Bountiful Barley Salad
Today, Jules shares a crowd pleasing barley salad recipe:
I first cooked this barley salad for a New Year’s gathering of six friends, including three very large, very hungry meat-eating men. It was not the main dish, but it really could have been. This dish was a huge hit; a hearty meal that is simple to prepare and loaded with whole grain goodness. Enjoy!
Jules’s Barley Salad
Serves 4-6
1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and orange juice. Add salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.
2. In a small sauté pan, heat one tablespoon of oil until shimmering. Cook mushrooms until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Combine mushrooms with barley, scallions, cranberries, and bacon. Stir well. Toss with dressing. Season to taste. Serve at room temperature.
Image credit: About.com vegetarian food barley entry
Comments
Have you tried any substitutes for bacon?
Posted by: Aline | March 2, 2010 9:18 AM | Reply to this comment
Hi Aline, I have emailed Jules to ask her to come back and comment in with a recommendation, but the first thing that sprang to mind for me was perhaps a strong, yummy cheese -- perhaps crumbled blue? -Christine
Posted by: Christine Koh - Editor | March 2, 2010 9:24 AM | Reply to this comment
I've got three constantly hungry meat eating boys who think salads are sissy. I'm going to try turkey. This sounds like a good salad to keep in the refrigerator for a healthy snack. Unfortunately my teens turn into cavemen when it comes to food. If they have to do anything to it, even use a microwave, they can't handle it.
Posted by: Aline | March 2, 2010 9:51 AM | Reply to this comment
Hi again Aline, oh, I thought it was a vegetarian issue! (Though I still think a strong crumbled cheese would suit well.)
So if other meats are not an issue, then yes, I think chunks of turkey or chicken would work well. You may need to up the salt seasoning though, since part of the impact of the bacon is the saltiness.
Posted by: Christine Koh - Editor | March 2, 2010 9:54 AM | Reply to this comment
seasoned walnuts or similar with a bit of maple syrup and smoked paprika make a great sub for bacon (if there is a vegetarian/vegan issue). make them like you would party mix, let them cool and break up to sprinkle in the salad.
Posted by: tracyp | March 2, 2010 12:41 PM | Reply to this comment
aline-
i understand your quagmire. my husband is the same way: MEAT MEAT MEAT. turkey wouldnt be my first choice, but it will go with the salad, for sure. i would recommend adding steak as a heady accompaniment or addition to the salad. try either skirt steak or flank steak, sliced thinly. YUM.
Posted by: jules | March 2, 2010 2:15 PM | Reply to this comment
My mom has made a similar salad with wild rice and chunks of SMOKED turkey - sliced thick at the deli? Or smoked chicken chunks. I think the smokiness of the bacon would be as important as the saltiness... counterpoint to the sweet craisins.
This sounds so yummy I'm making it tomorrow night. Thanks, Jules and Christine!
Posted by: Sarah | March 2, 2010 8:33 PM | Reply to this comment