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Original poster

A white knuckle ride of a thread about PEARL BARLEY

160 replies

Slubberdegullion · 02/02/2011 21:26

[Florence & The Machine Inspirational Music Intro]

Pearl Barley

[Shots of young people doing parkour on walls with graffiti]

Right I have 375 g of pearl barley left in my 500g bag and unless I get some VERY EXCITING and dramatic ideas of what the chuff to do with it the dds will be clearing it out from the top back shelf in 40 years time when I have snuffed it.

NO SOUP

Thank you

OP posts:
PearlBarley · 04/02/2011 12:11

honorary namechange.

When it's in a lamb stew it's renamed "Spew Stew" because of it's lumpiness and accompanying carrots it resembles sick. Tastes much nicer though.

Liking the breakfast idea muchly.

piratecat · 04/02/2011 11:56

lol slubber great title.

i recommend you use it as a facial scrub ?

ps i can't cook jack.

Twit · 04/02/2011 11:51
Twit · 04/02/2011 11:44

So boiling it then stickin git in the stew for a couple of hours should be ok?

Your breakfast idea sounds lovely

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 04/02/2011 11:29
OP posts:
Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 04/02/2011 11:28

BLOODY HELL

That last post should come with a 15 certificate warning.

OP posts:
Eleison · 04/02/2011 11:22

Well, re timing, for perfection in a stew it does need a couple of hours. But I boiled (vigorously) for only about twenty mins this morning and it was fine. Not quite so throbbingly succulent as I would wish, but fine. I think it cooks quicker in the plentiful liquid of breakfast boiing than in the realatively scarce juices of a stew.

The real key to its loveliness, incidentally, is that you can get it meltingly soft without all the disintegration issues that rice presents us with. Each grain is still, reolutely, itself when at maximum juicy engorgement. Unlike quitter rice.

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 04/02/2011 11:20

The possibilities are endless Twit, as I am only just beginning to realise..

It is the polymath of carbs.

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Twit · 04/02/2011 11:05

I cooked it as I did the slow cooker stuff and added it near the end last time. It was lovely.
Maybe I'll try just the boiling part before adding it to the slow cooker today and cook it with the rest. Hmmm the possibilities...

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 04/02/2011 10:58

I'm going to do it in the slow cooker tonight.

I like to cover all the cooking bases thoroughly.

Tomorrow I may use it on the Cobb, or place it in a hole in the ground with hot coals and moss.

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Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 04/02/2011 10:57

You must start making your breakfast very early Eleison, that or eat it very late.

I have to admit to not reading the instructions on the packet and thought I could use it last night just like risotto.

No.

After quite a long time of stirring and testing I then read the packet and it need to be simmered for 1hour and 15 mins. Was forced to eat some cheese in the interim.

This is FINE for slow cooky casserole things but my all encompassing enthusiasm for PB (I see we are shortening it to PB now because we know what it is) has been slightly lessened with timing/simmering aspect.

It still tasted great! No complaints there oh no. We are having it again tonight so will join you in addictive issues corner Eleison.

OP posts:
Eleison · 04/02/2011 10:27

I would have thought no need to boil PB before a slowcook.

I confess I had pealr barley cooked in milk again for breakfast. Leetle bit worried about addiction issues now.

Twit · 04/02/2011 10:23

So you don't have to boil it if you're slow cooking it? Does that apply to lentils too?

Am thinking of using it with bacon and tinned toms etc tonight?? I would normally make mash but peeling potatoes makes me feel sick.

Buda · 03/02/2011 23:05

Well I cocked up our dinner tonight. Sat there saying "if I had only thrown in a handful of pearl barley it would have been nice".

Maria2007loveshersleep · 03/02/2011 21:48

Chaos!! If only I'd known!

3 weeks ago DS dropped my phone in the loo (part of the delights of potty training). Which led to endless trips & phonecalls to carphone warehouse until finally 3 weeks later phone was replaced.

And to think I have a tupperware of pearl barley in my kitchen somewhere... Who knew?!

Goldberry · 03/02/2011 21:27

I've only tried it in soup and in beef stew, but found this recipe for squash and pearl barley salad with balsamic vinaigrette the other day. Looks yummy in the picture. www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7995/squash-and-barley-salad-with-balsamic-vinaigrette Genius thread btw.

PerArduaAdNauseum · 03/02/2011 21:13

Frumenty. What a fabulous word. Shall have to make some.

PerArduaAdNauseum · 03/02/2011 21:08

I am clearly easily-led. I bought some pearl barley today. I have no time or plans to cook anything more complicated than toast until Sunday at least. Arse.

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 03/02/2011 20:58

no no Mary.

There have been medicinal factoids, historical recipes, a literary reference, coldtits and the tupperware-egg combo and several silly craft suggestions so, no your heat pack tip is very welcome.

Of course now I have tasted its delights (twice!) I will only be using my pearl barley for stuffing in my face.

OP posts:
MaryMungo · 03/02/2011 20:27

I know it's a food thread, but barley can also make an excellent heat pack. Just bung it in a tight woven sock and knot the open end. Microwave for two minutes. I put mine at the foot of my bed every night Smile

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 03/02/2011 18:44

Delighted to hear of your super cleansed urinary tract.

I thought you could only sell the dh via the ways of frumenty?

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Eleison · 03/02/2011 18:34

I am sparklingly cystitis free now.

Who wants to start the bidding on my DH?

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 03/02/2011 18:31

Did you Eleison? Grin

Hahahahaha

guess what I am having for dinner tonight?

It's a culinary adventure with bratwurst sausages, mushrooms and yes! Pearl Barley!

Woo hoo

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Eleison · 03/02/2011 18:25

Guess what I had for dinner

PEARL BARLEY.

A nice risotto with bacon and mushrooms and chicken stock and sundry veg.

It was deeeLICious.

And I bought a top-up pack today. 39p in Tesco also.

That is nearly free.

Original poster
Slubberdegullion · 03/02/2011 13:45

You would think they would put it in a posher and more regal looking bag wouldn't you?

AND get it up off the bottom shelf. I come over all snobby and precious if I have to stoop to get my groceries.

I see I made 34p up. 39p it is.

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