Does Pearl Barley have ANY nutritional qualities or is it really just a filler.......?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Daren't google for fear of getting sucked into a lentil-weaving website

It's very nutritious - contains folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin B6 and zinc. And it's delicious!

I use it often - there's a miller in the farmer's market who sells some grown in Berwickshire.

Delicious!!

I used to use quinoa, but it's so dear. At the barley is locally produced.

we used to feed boiled barley to our horse to fatten them up in winter
It's dense low fat nutrition and will make your coat glow with good health!

LOL! thanks folk.

Is it a reasonable substitute to meat in a meal then?

Barley water is also good for cleaning and cystitis.

Just use the water you boiled it in to drink - strain it first.

Add a little sugar if you'd like.

Ah, see that confuses me a little expat.....

The packet said put in pan of cold water and bring to the boil, then drain, rinse and add to whatever and make sure cooked for hour or so...

It IS the second lot of cooking liquid you refer to, isnt it?

I've never changed the water; you can add it directly to soups and stews, so the water can't be that bad for you!

Pot barley is the best, VVV - pearl barley is processed in some way. I would soak it first and discard the soaking water, but the water you cook it in is full of nutrients - hence "Barley Water" being a drink for invalids. I think it's nicest cooked in a stew so you retain all the water it is cooked in, anyway.

wouldn't say it's a substitue for meant, vvv, as it's a carb not a protein.

'meat'

I drink the water it's been boiled in, VVV.

I throw it into soups, too, along w/Scottish red lentils.

Right. Well, Ive made a huge pot of soup, and after bringing to the boil and draining I lobbed it in there? So thats as good then, isnt it? Hmm didnt know whether it was carb or protein - didnt think about it.

Whats pot barley Farnny?

Err.. Franny even....

Well, I might try drinking the liquid next time, my skin is atrocious atm. Have even brought out the proactiv ... tis war!

Pearl barley is polished, so loses some of the outer bran. Pot barley is less processed, so contains the bran as well.

Pot barley

I think it's like the difference between brown and white rice - the pot barley is the whole grain, and the pearly barley has had something removed.

It has a lovely texture and does contain good amounts of protein. I sometimes cook it a little like a risotto, and just add dried mushrooms and parmesan. It's lovely and cheap and as someone mentioned, is indigenous to the UK so in some ways it's healthier and greener than buying exotic grains such as, erm, quinoa

Where can i get pot barley then?

I am getting good here, I am answering the questions before you even post them

LOL! Thanks for link

Fairtrade quinoa must be ok though

Yes, fairtrade quinoa definitely won't have been flown halfway round the world to indulge some Westerner's penchant for poncey grains, will it?

the water it is boiled in is good for nappy rash. We used to give it to DD to flush out & clear her system when she was teething & it helped her nappy rash no end.

Franny......i think you make up for it in other areas so we wont get Bono on your ass just yet!

Didnt know that Melissa.....!

The thought of Bono on my arse has just made me heave

Franny, your barley risotto is a Real Thing. the Italians call it orzotto. I love it in winter with mushrooms and acres of parmesan.

Oh fab! Oh thank you aitch, dp groans when he sees it and says "have we run out of money again?"

Franny! I didnt mean literally.....