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16 replies
metalelephant · 19/04/2012 18:38
I see this in many recipes but no indication why...any ideas?
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toofattorun · 19/04/2012 19:13
Barley must be rinsed to remove any dust, dirt and debris just like you would with lentils for example. Preboiling removes any toxic substances that may be lurking on the barley and stops you from getting any of it.
EmmalinaC · 19/04/2012 19:15
Ooooh I never knew that! I've been eating it un-rinsed and un-pre-boiled for years...
toofattorun · 19/04/2012 20:24
Barley is protected by two layers of inedible husks which are usually thrashed out during processing. I guess rinsing and pre-boiling would just ensure that you're not getting any of that in your dinner!
metalelephant · 19/04/2012 20:48
Mmm...I have been eating delicious toxic dust, yummy! Thanks for your help toofattorun 
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toofattorun · 20/04/2012 07:12
Well it's obviously not done you any harm!
What do you eat it with?
Bucharest · 20/04/2012 07:15
...and to kill the trillions of weevil eggs.....
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metalelephant · 20/04/2012 09:37
toofattorun, I love it boiled in a little stock with a bay leaf and a tiny bit of butter, or mixed in creamy stews - recently added it parboiled to chicken cooking with white wine, garlic and onions and finished with cream. So nice, far superior to rice and ever so lovely texture.
Bucharest, I was about to make a "weevil is full of protein" joke, but now feel a wee(vil) bit paranoid and will inspect my cupboards!
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stealthsquiggle · 20/04/2012 09:41
Really 
? My method is:
- take handful of pearl barley from packet
- hurl into stew half an hour before it is done, stir, shove back in oven.
metalelephant · 20/04/2012 10:03
I think from now on I will stick it in a fine sieve first and wash thoroughly and then continue as normal - there will be no parboiling though
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SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 20/04/2012 10:21
My mum never rinsed or preboiled pearl barley, so I don't either. But I have only used it in casseroles, and I put it in right at the beginning, so it gets slow cooked for hours - maybe this is why it hasn't killed me yet.
I do rather like the idea of metalelephant's recipes - I might give those a go, but only for me - the rest of the family only tolerate pearl barley - I'm the only sensible one.
differentnameforthis · 20/04/2012 14:58
The water left over after boiling, full of those toxic substances is THE best thing to help clear up severe nappy rash. It cleans out the system, stops the wee from being so acidic, therefore stops it aggravating the sore areas.
It worked wonders on dd1 when nothing else did.
debka · 20/04/2012 20:32
I love pearl barley, I cook it in the stock left from boiling a gammon, with onion and carrot and eat huge bowls of it. The DDs love it too. I feel even better now I know it's so good for them, thanks to differentname.
No preboiling here either, or rinsing
metalelephant · 21/04/2012 07:38
Differentnameforthis, that's amazing!
How often do you get something that's really tasty, easy to prepare, genuinely good for you and cheap?
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differentnameforthis · 21/04/2012 09:28
metalelephant Exactly! We gave the liquid to dd after being told by dh's aunt that it worked this way (we were 
because she is childless & knows as much about babies as I do about rocket science) but it did work.
Her mum used to give it to her & her siblings as children & she still drinks this & the water she uses to steam veges.
You can keep the liquid for a day or so, but shake well before drinking.
tb · 22/04/2012 16:09
It's used to make barley water, which was always promoted as a healthy dring.
tb · 22/04/2012 16:10
*drink
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