Barley salad
Minimal cooking, maximum flavour, this amazing barley salad recipe is the ultimate summer picnic classic!
Ingredients
Method
2) Combine the barley, fennel, pine nuts, Parmesan, bacon and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Add the dressing and stir to combine. Season, to taste, with the salt and pepper. Serve immediately or allow to sit in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
This Barley Salad Recipe is a Symphony of Summer Scrumminess!
This sensational barley salad recipe is a testament to the magic of simple ingredients. Plump, tender pearls of barley soak up the bright, citrusy dressing like tiny flavour sponges. Each forkful is a delightful dance of textures - from the satisfying chew of the grain to the crisp, aniseed-like bite of fennel and the delicate crunch of toasted pine nuts. In fact, as barley salad ideas go, this one’s a winner!
The dressing is where this barley salad recipe truly sings. Freshly squeezed orange juice brings a sunny sweetness, while extra-virgin olive oil adds a luxurious richness. Umami lovers will rejoice at the generous shower of grated Parmesan, its nutty depth perfectly complementing the earthy barley. But the true showstopper? Crispy morsels of streaky bacon, adding irresistible smokiness and a salty savoury punch to turn this barley in salad dish from a simple side to the star of the show.
For alternative barley salad ideas, try using different types of nuts, such as toasted almonds or walnuts, or swap the Parmesan for crumbled feta or mozzarella. You could even add sliced grilled chicken for extra protein, or roasted vegetables for more depth of flavour and a big splash of colour.
Our incredible barley salad recipe is a true taste of summer, and if you're looking for more gorgeous grains, try a fabulously fresh quinoa, avocado, radish and pickled lemon salad, a Middle East feast of aubergines and peppers stuffed with lamb and couscous, or a spicy harissa tabbouleh with onions, peppers, mint and a zesty dressing. Bon appetit!
