And just like that, the holiday season has come to an end. After going on a calorie spree, most of us would like to shed a few holiday pounds. And healthy meals are easy to consume if they’re packed with flavor.

From Wikipedia – Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains, particularly in Eurasia as early as 10,000 years ago.[3] Barley has been used as animal fodder, as a source of fermentable material for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods. It is used in soups and stews, and in barley bread of various cultures. Barley grains are commonly made into malt in a traditional and ancient method of preparation. (read more)

In this recipe, I pair cooked and sauteed Barley with Turkey bacon and sausage, veggies and boiled egg. This is a very satisfying meal.

Barley Stirfry

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 cups Barley
  • 2 -3 tbsps of Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Turkey Bacon
  • 1 cup Chicken wieners
  • 1/4 cup diced Onion and
  • 1/4 cup sliced Spring Onions
  • 2 cups diced Mushrooms
  • 1 cup diced Red Peppers
  • 1/2 cup diced Carrots
  • 3 tbsps dark soya
  • 2 tbsps Hot sauce
  • 1 cup lightly steamed Broccoli
  • 1/4 cup diced Parsley
  • 1 boiled egg diced

Method
 

  1. Soak the barley for 30 – 40 mins, wash drain and boil for 15 – 20 mins
  2. Drain the barley and leave aside
  3. In a saute pan heat some oil and add the turkey bacon and the sausages and cook and keep aside
  4. In the same pan add the onion and spring onion
  5. Add the mushroom and cook for a few minutes
  6. Add the red peppers, carrots and saute
  7. Add the cooked and drained barley and allow it to sit in the hot pan for a few minutes
  8. Add the soya and hot sauce and mix in with the barley
  9. Allow the barley to sit for a while before stirring so the barley gets a little caramelized
  10. Add the broccoli, parsley and boiled egg
  11. Mix well and serve