Introduction

Grains have been a staple food for centuries in many cultures. They’re filling, nutritious and offer a satiating effect. While barley is mildly acidic, the other three grains have an alkaline effect in the body, something a Western diet often lacks. Some people find grains difficult to digest but soaking them before cooking makes them much easier on the system. The grains we have chosen are easily digested, and what’s more, they’re gluten free. Quinoa, buckwheat and barley are often classified as seeds from non- grassy plants and sometimes referred to as pseudo-grains. To maximise the goodness, choose organic to avoid possible ingestion of chemicals and insecticides.

The endosperm, germ and bran are the main anatomical components of a cereal grain. Including these parts in a food is including the whole grain, thus the name "whole grain" on products.
- LiveScience(http://www.livescience.com/55668-whole-grains.html)

Barley

Barley is almost like the wheat berries, but is somewhat light in colour comparatively.

Sprouted barley is naturally high in maltose, a sugar that serves as the basis for both malt syrup sweetener. When fermented, barley is used as an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.
-The World's Healthiest Foods (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=127)

A Healthy Recipe For You To Try - Barley Salad

This is a cold bean salad that can be made one or two days ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

Ingredients

• One and a half cups of cooked and drained pearled barley
• Quarter cup of coriander, finely chopped
• One cup of sliced tomatoes - Each tomato should be cut into four slices
• Half lime - both juice and zest
• One cup of rinsed and drained corn
• Half cup of rinsed and drained black beans
• Half Red pepper diced
• Quarter of a white onion, cut in small pieces
• One teaspoon of garlic salt
• One teaspoon of cumin
• One teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Half jalapeno cut into small pieces

Preparation

1.  Put the black beans, red bell, barley, tomatoes, corn and onions in a somewhat large bowl, and then sprinkle with half teaspoon of garlic salt, chilli powder and cumin. Mix them well.
2. Add jalapeno, cilantro and lime zest and juice, mix thoroughly and taste.
3. Add more garlic salt to the above, as needed.
4. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.

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Note: For the exact teaspoon size, refer to - http://www.asknumbers.com/TablespoonToTeaspoon.aspx

Image Source - Giphy.com