Fun barley salad

Method
Prep:20min  ›  Cook:40min  ›  Extra time:30min soaking  ›  Ready in:1hr30min 

1. Wash and rinse the barley and soak in a large saucepan of cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Transfer the saucepan to the stove, bring to the boil and then cook the barley in water for 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and transfer the barley to a serving dish. Add some extra virgin olive oil and 2 pinches of salt.
3. Wash the cauliflower and cut in florets. Peel and cut the squash in 1/2cm thick slices. Steam cauliflowers and squash in a steamer or boil in salted water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain.
4. Cook the green peas in salted boiling water for 10 minutes then drain.
5. In a large frying pan or a wok, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, butter, dried garlic and anchovy paste. Cook on low heat, stirring often until the paste is melted.
6. Stir into the pan the green peas and cauliflowers, then the squash as last ingredient. Cook on low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add the chestnuts and cooked barley. Stir all together a few minutes, turn off the heat and serve.

Tip

This dish can be an appetiser or a main dish, cold or warm. Healthy, tasty and fun.

For a vegetarian or vegan version

Simply do not add the anchovy paste.

See it on my blog

Lacucinadinadia.it (in Italian and English)