Pearl barley in stew

[Scam]

Well as a token gesture to Paddy's day today I'm going to make a nice beef and guinness stew. Not traditional I know, but I love this recipe and hey, it's got guinness in it I picked up some pearl barley the other day which is supposed to be good for bulking out stews, but how do I cook it? Can I just chuck it in the stew for the last hour or so? The packet suggests boiling it in water for 45mins or something Also how much does it plump up (if any?). I've got 1kg of beef shin, yum

 

[HeadlessChicken]

It plumps up quite a lot. 45 mins is about right, just leg it in

 

[Glaucus]

Yep, chuck it in about an hour or just when you make the stew. It's amazing stuff. So much nicer than rice. I love the stuff.

 

[Scam]

Ok cool so I shouldn't put too much in then. Maybe just a handful or two. I'm doing suet dumplings as well

 

[HeadlessChicken]

Ok cool so I shouldn't put too much in then. Maybe just a handful or two. I'm doing suet dumplings as well

Yeah you won't want a lot, especially with dumplings. A kilo of beef, so cooking for 4 to 6 people? A small handful per person IMO.

 

[Scam]

Well I'm only cooking for 3 tonight but the idea is to get 5-6 portions for leftovers

 

[HeadlessChicken]

Yeah with the barley you'll easily get that.

 

[Vonhelmet]

My wife uses that in her beef stews - it's well nice.

 

[DirtyJester]

Can't say I've ever had it in stew before but love it in my veggie soup Oh and cheers while we're at it

 

[vicisthebest]

Just to hijack (didn't think it worth making a new thread) today I am mostly cooking boiled bacon ribs, steak and guinness pie, and colcannon, followed by Irish Cream cheesecake (was too stingy to buy actual Baileys but hey ho). Got friends coming round and got the Magners and Guinness chilling.

First year I haven't done St Paddy's Day with my HUGE Irish family - but hey, my last name's O'Malley and I think it's time to go it alone!

 

[DirtyJester]

Hi Vic just on the cheescake, stick a slug of Irish Whiskey in if the cheapo aint up to much.

Sry OP had to be done

...and hugs from over the water

 

[vicisthebest]

Hi Vic just on the cheescake, stick a slug of Irish Whiskey in if the cheapo aint up to much.

Sry OP had to be done

...and hugs from over the water

Haven't got any... Only scotch and that would be sacrilegious! x

 

[DirtyJester]

Haven't got any... Only scotch and that would be sacrilegious! x

nuff said

 

[memyselfandi]

My Mum always puts pearl barley in stews to add bulk and to be honest I am not keen on it in there at all. My Dad never does and with it in there it just seems "wrong" somehow

 

[Jonny69]

In the pressure cooker I stick it all in at once