Pearl Barley Pulao

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Pearl Barley pulao is a simple, healthy and delicious one pot meal. Barley is one of the most healthy grain and was one of the principal grains in ancient India. Sadly we do not use it a lot in cooking. I am not sure why, may be its appearance or we have forgotten how to use it. Fortunately more and more people are turning towards healthier alternatives. And such lost healthy grains are finding its way to our kitchen’s.

I have earlier made this Pearl Barley and Mung Dal Khichdi and hence was a bit sure that it will taste good. So, I decided to make this quick and easy Pearl Barley Pulao with the ingredients available in my home. I did precook the barley but you can throw all the ingredients at once in a pot and let it cook in a pressure cooker or an Instant pot or an open pan. I just did to save some time and have it ready when I need it.

You can use any combination of vegetables as you like. I have adapted this to my Indian taste buds by sauteing the onion along with green chilly and red chilly. The end result was a lip smacking and a tasty dish which I enjoyed for my dinner on its own.

So What is Barley?

Barley is known as Jao in Hindi. And the most common use we all know is Barley water or Jao ka pani. As it is loaded with essential nutrients, it is considered to be on the healthiest beverages. Barley is a very healthy grain. It is rich in Vitamins, minerals and fiber. Due to high fiber content it helps in digestion and reduced hunger pangs and weight loss.

Barley a member of the grass family . It is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. Barley has been used as animal fodder. As it has a stronger taste compared to wheat it is one of the basic ingredient used for the formation of beer and other alcoholic beverages. (Source google)

Hulled Barley is eaten after removing the idedible fibrous outer hull. Once removed, it is called dehulled barley (pot barley or scotch barley) Pearl Barley is a bit processed. It is dehulled barley which has its outer hull removed and polished to remove some or all of the bran layer. It is the most common form of barley for human consumption. Fine barley flour is prepared from milled pearl barley. (Source Wiki)

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Ingredients

• 0.5 Cup Pearl Barley
• 2-3 Cups of Water for Pressure cooking or cooking in Instant Pot
• 1 small Onion chopped finely
• 1-2 green chilies chopped (as per taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 small tomato chopped finely
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilly powder
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1/4 cup Red pepper
• salt as per taste
• 1 tablespoon Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon Jeera (Cumin seeds)
• 1/2 teaspoon Rai (Mustard Seeds)
• 7-8 Curry leaves

Instructions

• Clean and soak the pearl barley for 2-3 hours.
• Pressure cook in a pressure cooker with a bit of salt for 1 Whistle. (See Notes for cooking all in pressure cooker)
• I used my Instant pot for pressure cooking for 2 mins.
• Let the pressure cool off.
• Remove the barley, drain and keep aside.
• Now in a pan , add Oil
• Once hot, add in the mustard seeds an cumin seeds.
• Let them splutter.
• Now add the curry leaves, onion and green chilly.
• Let this saute for a few minutes until onion is translucent.
• Now add the chopped tomatoes and green peas.
• Add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt, turmeric and Red chilly.
• Let this cook for 4-5 minutes, until the green peas are cooked.
• Now add the red peppers and the cooked barley.
• Mix everything and give it a quick gentle stir.
• Let this cook for 2-3 minutes more.
• Cover and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve it as is or with some yogurt on the side.

Notes

• This Pearl barley pulao can be completely done in a pressure cooker.
• Do the tadka, saute the vegetables, add the barley with enough water, and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
• I am not sure how much water it will take when you directly pressure cook, I will update it here once I try.

Recipes shared in this series:

• Samak Rice Khichdi | Vrat ke Chawal | Farali Khichdi
• Farali Kuttu ki Khichdi | Buckwheat Khichdi
• Jowar Khichdi | Sorghum Khichdi
• Bajre ka Bhat (Pearl millet one pot meal)

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