Egyptian Barley Salad from america’s test kitchen


Do not substitute hulled barley or hull-less barley in this recipe. If using quick-cooking or presteamed barley (read the ingredient list on the package to determine this), you will need to decrease the barley cooking time in step 1.

1½ cups pearl barley
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
⅓ cup golden raisins
½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro
¼ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped coarse
3 ounces feta cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes (¾ cup)
6 scallions, green parts only, sliced thin
½ cup pomegranate seeds

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven. Add barley and 1 tablespoon salt, return to boil, and cook until tender, 20 to 40 minutes. Drain barley, spread onto rimmed baking sheet, and let cool completely, about 15 minutes.

2. Whisk oil, molasses, cinnamon, cumin, and ½ teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add barley, raisins, cilantro, and pistachios and gently toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread barley salad evenly on serving platter and arrange feta, scallions, and pomegranate seeds in separate diagonal rows on top. Drizzle with extra oil and serve
Serves 6 to 8

Cinnamon Raisin Rice Pudding from thisolegal.com


1 cup Arborio Rice
1 1/2 Fresh Water
1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
2 1/2 cups Low-Fat or Whole Milk
1-2 Cinnamon Stick
2 Eggs
1/2 c sugar
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Raisins
Cinnamon for garnish

In your Pressure Cooker cooking pot, combine water, rice, cinnamon stick and salt.

Lock the lid and close Pressure Valve.  Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.

When Beep sounds, allow a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release and then do a Quick Release to remove any remaining pressure.

Open lid and add 2 cups of the milk and the sugar to pressure cooking pot and stir to combine.

Add the eggs and vanilla into the measuring cup with the remaining milk and whisk well to combine.

Slowly pour into Pressure Cooker cooking pot, stirring as you go.

Select the Sauté or Browning function and allow pudding to come to a slow boil, stirring constantly. Continue to whisk for one minute only.

Remove cooking pot from Pressure Cooker, add raisins and mix together.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Rice Pudding will thicken as it cools.
Eat warm or put in refrigerator to chill.
If you prefer a firmer texture, cook for just 3 minutes.

Shaved Cauliflower Salad from foodrepublic.com

  • Americano at The Joule in Dallas. Photography by Mei-Chun Jau.

    3 ounces shaved white cauliflower

  • 1 1/2 ounces shaved purple cauliflower
  • 1 1/2 ounces shaved orange cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pistachios
  • 2 tablespoons plumped golden raisins
  • 4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Dash red chili flakes
  • Dash chives
  • salt to taste
  1. Thinly shave the cauliflower on a mandolin, toss with lemon juice and lightly season with salt,
  2. let the cauliflower macerated for a few minutes. Toss in the toasted pistachios, plumped golden raisins, and chili flakes.
  3. Drizzle in the EVOO, taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.