Experts advise including seasonal fruits, vegetables, dal, and plenty of water in our daily diets to maintain our overall health. Besides, it is important to consume cereals too. Barley is one such nutrient-enriched cereal choice. It is one of India’s oldest cereals, also known as Jau in Hindi. This cereal is used in many dishes, including soups, salads, and breads. Here’s a recipe for a tasty soup that makes use of barley’s benefits along with a few other ingredients. Dhwani, my daughter, adores having it in the evening. It also keeps her healthy and warm. The finest aspect? The soup gets the ideal crunch from the vegetables. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s start with the recipe. Read below
How to Make Vegetable Barley Soup in Instant Pot
Firstly, wash and rinse the Barley, and keep it aside. Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil, and once it’s hot, add bay leaf, minced garlic, and onions and saute for 2-3 minutes till onions soften. Add carrot, red bell pepper, tomato, green peas, sweet corn, pearl barley, and dry spices like turmeric, ground cumin, curry, or garam masala powder into the pot. Then, pour vegetable stock or water into the Instant pot along with some salt and black pepper. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes. When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release(QR). Open the lid. Lastly, squeeze some lemon juice and garnish with cilantro. Stir it all up. Indian Style Vegetable Barley Soup is ready to enjoy!
Stovetop Pot Method
I haven’t tried this recipe personally on the stovetop, but you can follow the same steps as the instant pot in a pot and cook covered for about 35-40 minutes until the Barley is cooked to your liking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Pearl barley soup with crusty bread or serve it for lunch or dinner with a sandwich.
Variations
You can add other vegetables like celery, potatoes, pumpkin, and zucchini. For more protein, add cannellini beans, edamame beans, green lentils, or chickpeas along with barley You can also add greens like spinach, kale, and mustard greens. If you want it to be spicier and curry style, add 1 can of 14 oz diced tomatoes or sauce.
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