Summer barley and spelt salad

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Summer barley and spelt salad
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403
Calories per serving
  • Vegetarian
  • Energy Kcal 403
  • Carbohydrates g 53.3
  •   of which sugars g 2.7
  • Protein g 15
  • Fats g 14.5
  •   of which saturated fat g 4.13
  • Fiber g 6.6
  • Cholesterol mg 11
  • Sodium mg 356
  • Difficulty: Very easy
  • Prep time: 20 min
  • Cook time: 20 min
  • Serving: 4
  • Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Soft, fluffy grains and a cheerful pop of color make this summer barley salad a favorite. Every bite brings together the good chewy texture of pearl barley with a slight heartiness from spelt berries—home cooks love the way this grain salad looks on the table, brightened up by bits of fresh veggies and fresh herbs (always a crowd-pleaser at BBQs or picnics). The classic earthiness of the grains is balanced by a light, refreshing vibe, so it feels right for both quick family lunches and bigger weekend celebrations. That's the sort of versatile, easy-to-love dish that keeps making the rounds at summer gatherings: sweet vegetables, a little tangy bite, plus those grains…honestly, pretty much everyone ends up asking for seconds. Simple but DELICIOUS, especially for families looking to keep things healthy but still great-tasting and fun.

Busy families keep this spelt salad in regular rotation because it's flexible and fits so many situations. Works really well as a good-for-you side for grilled meats or fish, and it also stands alone as a satisfying vegetarian choice—great if you need something filling that everyone can agree on. Nice for prepping ahead as part of a spread for outdoor feasts, but honestly it’s just as handy in lunchboxes or for last-minute dinners at home (kids usually go for the juicy crunch in every spoonful). Recipes like this check all the boxes for quick barley recipes—nutritious, steady, and tasty, with enough color to keep everyone happy. As one of those easy summer salads, it brings peace of mind on hectic weeknights and plenty of nice variety to the menu—just scoop into bowls, maybe dress it up with extra herbs on the side, and you’ve got a healthy grain salad moment every time. A reliable way to keep dinner fresh, wholesome, and a little bit special…families definitely return to this one over and over again.

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INGREDIENTS
403
Calories per serving
Pearl barley 0.8 cup (150 g)
Pearled farro ¾ cup (150 g)
Arugula 1 ½ cup (30 g)
Cherry tomatoes 1 ⅓ cup (200 g)
Mozzarelline ciliegine cheese 3.5 oz (100 g)
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Fine salt to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Summer barley and spelt salad

To make the summer spelt and barley salad, start by boiling the grains: place the pearled barley 1 and spelt 2 in a large pot, add plenty of salted water to cover the grains 3 and boil them according to the package directions (they usually need about 15-18 minutes of cooking);

Once cooked, they will have absorbed some of the water 4, drain them and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking and cool them 5; transfer them to a large bowl and set aside. Now, deal with the tomatoes: wash them under running water and cut them into small wedges 6,

drain the preservation water from the mozzarella balls and dice them 7. Prepare the arugula by washing it well under water; coarsely chop the arugula leaves 8. At this point, take the bowl with the grains and add the cherry tomatoes 9,

the mozzarella pieces 10, and the arugula 11. Drizzle with plenty of extra virgin olive oil 12

and adjust the salt if necessary 13. Mix with a spoon so that the grains are flavored with the seasoning 14. Your summer spelt and barley salad is ready to be enjoyed 15 and served cold.

Storage

Store the summer spelt and barley salad in the refrigerator for a couple of days covered with plastic wrap. Freezing is not recommended.

Advice

The summer spelt and barley salad lends itself to numerous variations, here are some suggestions: the arugula can be replaced with lamb's lettuce, you can also add crunchy vegetables such as julienned carrots, peppers, or fennel, and for cheese, you can use Emmental instead of mozzarella if you prefer stronger flavors.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.
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