Whether you're trying to lose weight or not, it's important to keep providing your body with the nutrients it needs through a variety of foods. In addition to including a variety of vegetables, pulses, legumes, and fruits in your diet, it is a good idea to use a variety of grains. Barley, which is called Barley in English, is extremely beneficial for health due to its high nutritional profile properties.

Health Benefits Of Eating Barley

Barley is a cereal grain belonging to the grass family Poaceae. It is one of the most widely consumed whole grains that are rich in fiber, B vitamins, and minerals. That's why consuming barley not only boosts your digestive health but also supports your immunity and nervous system.

In addition, they are an excellent source of phytochemicals, a chemical found in plants that help protect cells and DNA from damage that can lead to cancer and also reduce inflammation in the body.

To take advantage of all these benefits of this cereal plant and have a wholesome breakfast, here are some recipes that you can try at home.

Barley khichdi

Wash lentils and barley and soak them in water. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add asafoetida and cumin seeds and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds. Add some green chilies. Add onions and fry till light brown. Put the barley and lentils in a pressure cooker along with 3 cups of water, salt, and turmeric powder. Let it cook on low flame for 10 minutes or cook on high flame till 1 whistle. Let the pressure release, open the lid, and garnish with coriander leaves and desi ghee. Serve hot. You can also add vegetables of your choice to this khichdi.

Barley Upma

Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves to it and let it crackle. Then add chopped vegetables and stir. Now add broken barley to it and fry it all together for a few minutes. Add 1 cup of water and add some salt as per taste. Close the lid and cook on medium heat till 2 to 3 whistles. Once done, let the pressure release. Open the lid and see if there is too much water. Serve hot by adding lemon juice.

Barley Porridge

Wash the barley and soak it in water for 2 hours. In a saucepan, boil water. You can also add a cinnamon stick to it for fragrance. After this add the soaked barley and cook on medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes or till the barley becomes soft. Switch off the gas and add sugar and milk as per taste. Stir it till it blends completely. Put dry fruits on top of it. Serve hot.

Barley Smoothie

Add barley flour, almond milk, and honey to a blender. You can also add some fruits of your choice to it. Blend everything together. Pour into a glass and sprinkle some linseed or flax seeds on top. Your filling and healthy smoothie are ready.

Barley Pancake

Heat a pan or griddle. Sprinkle some oil. Pour a few scoops of the batter on the tava and cook till the edges of the pancake look slightly dry. Turn it over and let it cook from the other side as well. Drizzle with a little maple syrup and honey and serve. Heat a pan or tawa. Sprinkle some oil. Pour a few scoops of the batter on the tava and cook till the edges of the pancake look slightly dry. Turn it over and let it cook from the other side as well. Drizzle with a little maple syrup and honey and serve.

Heat a pan or griddle. Sprinkle some oil. Pour a few scoops of the batter on the tava and cook till the edges of the pancake look slightly dry. Turn it over and let it cook from the other side as well. Drizzle with a little maple syrup and honey and serve.

Pro tip- those who do not eat eggs can use ripe bananas to make the liquid batter.

Barley Salad

Barley Salad is an easy-to-make and nutritious salad recipe made with a mix of vegetables and a few spices. For this healthy salad, toss some red and yellow capsicum, boiled corn, a handful of cooked barley, finely chopped garlic, parsley, or coriander, and half a teaspoon of cumin powder and salt according to the test. Lo ho, gaya aapka healthy, nutrition salad ready in 2 minutes!