RSVP Series.- Back To Basics

We all know what RSVP is - etymologically speaking it translates to - Respond/Reply if you please. This is my RSVP and what does this RSVP stand for? Reciplicity if you please....Reciplicity? Reciplicity - Simplicity of Recipes.Howz that! Innovative aint it!

I wanted to dedicate a series to our basic composition of Vegetarian Food Groups. And I thought why not start it, with the most basics of this Group - Grains.For centuries Grains have been cultivated throughtout the world and form a staple diet in many countries. They are so incredibly versatile and are readily available any time of the year and to top it they are so inexpensive too. So in the coming days, my posts are going to be concentrated on my first series - RSVP Grains!

Lemme kick start this with a very very simple and healthy recipe - Other than wheat and rice which are the commonly used , there are other types of grains among which one is - Barley.



I chose Barley since it is believed to be the oldest of all cultivated grains. It still forms a fundamental part of everyday diet in Eastern Europe,The Middle East and Asia.

Barley is mainly of 2 types.

1. Pot Barley ia the whole grain with its outer husk removed since it is inedible. These are more nutrtious than the other commonly available type which is Pearl Barley. It has more fible,calcium,magnesium,phosphorous,iron and B vitamins. This types takes a longer time to cook than the other variety.
   
   
2. Pearl Barley is husked,steamed and then polished.It has a mild sweet flavour and
   chewy texture and can be added to soups, stews and bakes.
   

There are other varieties too - to know more about Barley refer here . I have this recipe in my cookbook - Lemon Barley Water and which I do make once in a while esp after long trips when we eat too much outside food. The fibre in the barley may help to prevent constipation and digestive problems.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
  
  
• about 6-8 cups,water
  
  
• grated rind of lemon
  
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
  
• juice of 2 lemons
  

Method

1.Wash the barley in plenty of water, then add it in a heavy saucepan with the water.

2.Bring to a boil,then reduce heat and simmer gently for 20-30min, skimming of any
scum from time to time.



3.Remove the pan from heat and add lemon rind,sugar to the pan and stir well. Let it
cool.Strain and add the lemon juice.



4.Use more sugar if neccessary.

Simple and a healthy potion -
RSVP to continue --