Barley and Veggie Stew

Whole grains are the Hearty grains, they do us a lot of healthy help! A Dear friend of mine makes a Wholesome stew every afternoon for their meals. They believe Barley covers their daily requirement of protein and the veggies cover for the daily nutrient potions. Though she cooks everything in a pan...to make things quick and simple, i suggest using a pressure cooker.

For 3 light servings,We need:

1 cup Barley ( soaked for an hour)

2 cups water

1 handful Broccoli florets

2 small carrots ( diced)

1/3 cup green peas ( defrost or fresh)

1/4 cup fresh corn

1/2 cup Mushrooms ( your choice of the variety)

1/2 cup Zucchini cubes Salt and Pepper for taste

Desired variety of cheese for garnish

Cooking procedure:

For cooking in a pressure cooker, take a small vessel that fits in the cooker. Fill the cooker with 2" water. Or add these ingredients to the pan directly and cook. If using a vessel, add broccoli and carrots, green peas, fresh corn and the soaked barley. Add salt amd water to taste. Cover the vessel with a lid and put it in the cooker. Turn on the flame or the electric stove on High. It is a stew and barley stays softly grainy even if cooked too much...bring in as many whistles or much pressure as desired to reach the consistency you like. And turn off once done.

Simultaneosly, heat up a medium skillet that can contain the whole stew and sauté diced Mushrooms and zucchini in light olive or coconut oil. These can remain not so mushy to savor their taste. For mushroom and Zuchhini lovers like me, you dont want to see them disappear in the stew ! Once the barley mixture is ready, check if there is too much water around and discard some if too watery. add the cooked stuff to the contents in the skillet, on medium heat. You can now add Red pepper powder or black pepper, cheese and quickly turn off the heat. We dont want the nutrients to evaporate. Savor it when hot !! This Barley and Veggie Stew is a great meal for the kids too...even as first year foods. So easy to cook and serve.Try it and tell me...you will want to eat it often.

- Prathyusha Talluri