Traveling to Greece and tasting their traditional barley salad will awaken your taste buds with harmony of textures and flavors. This refreshing salad, known as Kritharaki Salata, is a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, utilizing simple, fresh ingredients that pack a punch of flavor. Barley, a nutritious grain, forms the base of this dish, providing a chewy texture and nutty aroma. Combined with crisp vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and red onion, the salad bursts with a symphony of colors and textures. Feta cheese adds a delightful salty tang, while Kalamata olives contribute a briny, umami flavor. Fresh herbs, such as parsley and dill, infuse the salad with an aromatic finish, making it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or as a light and satisfying meal on its own.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
GREEK WATERMELON-BARLEY SALAD
Provided by Laurie Woolever
Categories easy, salads and dressings
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large pot, combine barley and about 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until cooked al dente, about 30 minutes. Season generously with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain and cool.
- In a bowl, combine red onion, olive oil, green pepper, vinegar, capers and garlic. Add to barley and toss. Add watermelon, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, cucumber, feta, parsley and dill, and toss again. Serve cold or at room temperature as a main course or, if desired, with grilled shrimp or chicken.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 449, UnsaturatedFat 17 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 11 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 670 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams
GREEK BARLEY SALAD
this recipe uses fast cooking barley, but you can use regular barley too, just increase the cooking time to 45 minutes.
Provided by chia2160
Categories Grains
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- bring 2 c vegetable broth to a boil.
- add barley, cover, lower to simmer and cook 12 minutes until barley is tender.
- remove from heat, drain if necessary, cool completely.
- combine barley, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and olives in a bowl.
- combine broth, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, stir well and add to barley mixture, toss well.
- add feta cheese, toss.
- serve over romaine lettuce leaves.
GREEK CHICKEN AND BARLEY SALAD
Posting for ZWT#6. From CookingLight contributor Suzanne Rumsey of Fort Wayne, Indiana who won $5000 for this recipe! What would YOU do if you won that money? :) A make ahead and time does not include chilling time. It says 8 servings but think they might be pretty small portions.
Provided by WiGal
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- To prepare salad, sprinkle chicken with 1/8 teaspoon salt.
- Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned.
- Add 1 cup broth; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until done.
- Cool; shred chicken.
- Discard broth.
- Bring 3 cups broth to a boil in a large saucepan; add barley.
- Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 35 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork.
- Cool.
- Combine chicken, barley, cucumber, and next 4 ingredients (through olives) in a large bowl.
- To prepare dressing, combine 3 tablespoons oil, rind, and remaining ingredients; stir well.
- Add to barley mixture; toss well.
- Cover and chill.
GREEK BARLEY SALAD
Steps:
- Combine the barley, 3 cups water and a pinch salt in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the barley is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool. Combine the tomatoes, feta, olives, mint, bell pepper and shallots in a bowl. Add the cooled barley. Whisk together the red wine vinegar and olive oil in a separate small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Dress the salad and toss. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Cook's Note: It's best to make the barley salad at least 3 hours ahead of time so the flavors have time to mingle.
Tips:
- Use high-quality barley: Opt for pearl barley or medium-grain barley for the best texture and flavor. Rinse the barley thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities.
- Cook the barley perfectly: Follow the instructions on the barley package for the ideal cooking time. Properly cooked barley should be tender but still have a slight bite to it.
- Use flavorful vegetables: Choose fresh, crisp vegetables for the salad. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and bell peppers are all excellent choices. Dice the vegetables into uniform pieces for a more appealing presentation.
- Make a tangy dressing: The dressing is what brings the salad together. Use a combination of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs, and spices to create a flavorful and balanced dressing. Adjust the proportions of each ingredient to suit your taste.
- Add some protein: For a more satisfying salad, add some cooked protein of your choice. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great options.
- Serve the salad fresh: Barley salad is best enjoyed fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Greek barley salad is a delightful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. With its combination of wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and tangy dressing, this salad is a perfect choice for a healthy and flavorful meal. Experiment with different variations of the recipe to suit your preferences and enjoy this delicious salad all summer long!
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