Week # 49: 10 lbs of Barley

Week # 49: 10 lbs of Barley (If you can’t accomplish this in 1 week, don’t worry, just take your time and do it in steps.)

Barley:

 Why do I store it? 

Barley is popular as a staple food, used in soups, as an extender for vegetable proteins and occasionally milled into flour. Barley flour, a by-product of pearling, is used in the United States for baby foods and other specialties. Barley as flatbread or porridge is widely consumed in North Africa and parts of Asia.

Barley’s Fiber for Regularity, Lower Cholesterol, & Intestinal Protection. Wish you were more regular? Let barley give your intestinal health a boost. Because of its neutral flavor, it’s easy to blend barley’s nutrition and texture into a variety of foods: soups, sausages, crackers, casseroles, hot and cold ready-to-eat cereals, snacks, breads, cookies, bagels, side dishes, main dishes and granola.

Nutrition:
Barley is a very good source of fiber and selenium. It also serves as a good source of the minerals phosphorus, copper and manganese.

Livelyhood:

Though the United States produces only 3-5 percent of the 200 million metric tons (7-8 billion bushels) of world barley output, the U.S. is consistently one of the top 10 world barley exporters.

Storage: If possible store unhulled barley.  Stores longer and is more nutritious!

]Barley is generally available in its pearled, hulled and flaked form. It is available prepackaged as well as in bulk containers. Just as with any other food that you may purchase in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the barley are covered and that the store has a good product turnover so as to ensure its maximal freshness. Whether purchasing barley in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure that there is no evidence of moisture.

Store barley in a tightly covered container in a cool, dry place. Barley can also be stored in the refrigerator during periods of warmer weather.

Shelf life - The shelf life of Barley is only 2-3 years due to the higher oil content of the grain.  Store only what you need and use on a regular bases.  You can extend the shelf

life by 3 to 5 times by putting it in a canning mason jar and use a Food Savor and jar sealer lids and suck out all the oxygen which breaks down oils over time.

Recipes:

• Curried Turkey and Barley Casserole
• Orange Barley Pilaf and Ham Sauté
• Barley, Berries and Chicken Salad
• Stacked Ham ‘n Barley Supper Salad
• Easy Greek Barley Salad
• Barley Fruit Scones
• Barley Fruit Muffins
• Barley Swiss Muffins
• Cheesy Barley Fritatta
• Barley Breakfast Hash
• Curried Fruit & Barley Salad

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Click on the images below to view all 52 weeks at once or the recipes to go with it, in a .jpg or download the 52 Week Food Purchasing Plan (PDF) or the Custom 52 Week Food Purchasing Plan (Excel file) and calculate exactly how much you’ll need for the size of your family.