Barley and Herb Salad (Printable)

Nutty pearl barley with fresh herbs and zesty lemon vinaigrette

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Herbs & Vegetables

04 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
06 - 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 small cucumber, diced

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 garlic clove, minced
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add barley, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until tender. Drain excess water and cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooled barley with parsley, mint, dill, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour vinaigrette over barley mixture and toss gently to combine.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Nutty, chewy texture from pearl barley.
  • Packed with vibrant, fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and dill.
  • Tangy and bright homemade lemon dressing.
  • Vegetarian-friendly and perfect for meal prep.
02 -
  • Whisk the dressing until it is fully emulsified to ensure it coats every grain evenly.
  • Dice the red onion very finely to ensure its flavor is distributed without overpowering the other ingredients.
  • Use the freshest herbs available for the most vibrant flavor.
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