Greek Barley Soup Recipes

BARLEY GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the barley, 3 cups water and a pinch salt in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the barley is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain in a colander and let cool.
• Combine the tomatoes, feta, olives, mint, bell pepper and shallots in a bowl. Add the cooled barley.
• Whisk together the red wine vinegar and olive oil in a separate small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Dress the salad and toss. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

VERY EASY MUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic; cook and stir until onions are tender and transparent. Stir in mushrooms and continue to cook for a few minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and add barley. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until barley is tender, about 50 minutes. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

GREEK BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, parsley, marjoram, and rosemary and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add the stock, barley, carrots, if using, potato, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the barley is nearly tender, about 45 minutes.
• Add the milk and heat through.
• Remove from the heat.
• Gradually stir 1 cup of the soup into the egg yolks, then stir the yolk mixture and parmesan into the soup.
• Return to low heat and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes.
• Serve warm.

ZESTY GREEK LENTIL AND BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils well under cold water and place them in a medium pot. Add some water, just enough to cover them, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Empty the lentils into a colander to drain and discard the water.
• Return the lentils into the pot, add the barley, olive oil, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, tomato sauce, 6 cups of fresh water and the paprika and pepper. (Hold off on adding the salt and the oregano). Cover and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat, partially uncover the pot, and cook for about another 30 to 40 minutes or until the lentils, the barley, and the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally. Add the oregano and the salt and cook for 5-10 minutes more or until the soup is slightly thickened. If the soup is becoming too thick, add some hot water at this stage. Remove the bay leaves.
• Just before serving, drizzle the red wine vinegar (or even better, Balsamic vinegar) and some extra virgin olive oil and stir well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into soup bowls, squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon juice for added flavor, and serve. This soup is traditionally served with seasoned Kalamata olives and a loaf of good, crusty flatbread.

GREEK BARLEY SALAD

Steps:

• bring 2 c vegetable broth to a boil.
• add barley, cover, lower to simmer and cook 12 minutes until barley is tender.
• remove from heat, drain if necessary, cool completely.
• combine barley, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and olives in a bowl.
• combine broth, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, stir well and add to barley mixture, toss well.
• add feta cheese, toss.
• serve over romaine lettuce leaves.

SPRING BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and garlic, and heat over medium. Cook, stirring, until fragrant and softened but not browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Add 6 cups of water, the barley and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the barley is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the asparagus and peas, and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, stir a spoonful of the soup into the miso until dissolved. Pour into the pot, along with the rice vinegar, ginger and remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce; stir to combine. Taste for salt level and adjust with more soy sauce. (Leftovers will keep for up to 2 days; rewarm over low heat, thin with water, and add vinegar and soy sauce to taste.)

CHICKPEA, BARLEY, AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Using a sieve or a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water.
• Return water to a boil, add barley, and simmer until tender (refer to packaging for timing); drain. Let cool on a baking sheet.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook sunflower seeds, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes; let cool.
• Toss green beans, barley, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, feta, dill, lemon juice, and vinaigrette in a large bowl.