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

Instructions
 

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