I love a refreshing easy salad that is full of flavor and loaded with lots of health benefits. This salad delivers in every way! Not only is it loaded with vitamins, but I added so many beautiful veggies that provide a gorgeous rainbow of colors. I eat with my eyes first and foremost and this salad was very satisfying just to look at, let alone the tangy zing of the dressing and pop of flavors from the veggies. The barley adds a perfect consistency to round out this salad. Serve this along side your favorite grilled goodies or as a side for brunch. It will fit in wherever you choose to serve it.
Mediterranean Barley Salad
8
servings10
minutes25
minutesIngredients
1 cup 1 Barley Dry(Cooked = 2 cups) Use all 2 cups
1 1 Yellow Pepper Diced
1 1 English Cucumber Sliced
1 cup 1 Cherry Tomatoes Sliced in Half
1/2 1/2 Red Onion Diced
1 1 Bunch of Italian or Curly Parsley Chopped
2 Tbsp 2 Fresh Dill Chopped
1 Tbsp 1 Fresh Mint Chopped
1/4-1/2 cup 1/4-1/2 Reduced Fat Crumbled Feta
*For the Dressing*
1/3 cup 1/3 Olive Oil
2 Tbsp 2 Red Wine Vinegar
1 1 Clove Garlic Grated
S&P to taste
Directions
- To begin, add 2 quarts of water to a sauce pot. Bring to boil. Add salt and 1 cup of barley. Boil for 25-30 minutes until barley is tender. Strain barley with cold water to chill it down to mix in with your salad. While barley is cooking, prepare all veggies to add to salad
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients for your dressing and whisk together to combine
- Add all veggies right on top of your dressing
- Once barley is drained and cooled, add to salad and toss everything together with the dressing ensuring you coat the salad well. Add your feta crumbles and dive in!
Notes
- You can make a meal out of this salad by adding grilled chicken strips or canned tuna to bump up the protein volume. Even hard boiled eggs would be a great addition. Make it your own and get creative!
