BARLEY VADAI

Although barley may not be as popular as other whole grains like oats, wheat, or even grain-of-the-moment quinoa, barley has some impressive health benefits. A very high fiber content, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, heart health and diabetes protection are just some of the barley nutrition benefits that make it one of the best whole grain choices.

Barley is actually one of the oldest consumed grains in the world. It was a staple grain for peasants during medieval times for centuries and today is still included in the diet of many European, African, and Middle Eastern nations that have been eating barley for thousands of years.

Although barley may not be as popular as other whole grains like oats, wheat, or even grain-of-the-moment quinoa, barley has some impressive health benefits. A very high fiber content, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, heart health and diabetes protection are just some of the barley nutrition benefits that make it one of the best whole grain choices.

Barley is actually one of the oldest consumed grains in the world. It was a staple grain for peasants during medieval times for centuries and today is still included in the diet of many European, African, and Middle Eastern nations that have been eating barley for thousands of years.

Barley provides a range of important vitamins and minerals:  fiber, selenium, B vitamins, copper, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium, niacin, and more. And when compared to many other grains, even other ancient whole-grains, barley is lower in fat and calories, but higher in dietary fiber and certain trace minerals. For example a one-cup serving of cooked barley has less calories, but more fiber, than an equal serving of quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, sorghum, millet or wild rice.

With this high fiber barley I have prepared some vadas to make this navaratri festival season healthy.Try this out and give your feed back.

INGREDIENTS

Barley                                     – 1 cup
Potatoes                      – 2, boiled, mashed
Gram Flour                – 2 tbsps
Rice flour                    - 2 tbsps
Corn flour                   - 2 tbsps
Ginger                         – a small piece, peeled, chopped
Green Chillies                        – 4 nos
Coriander Leaves      - 2 tbsps
Oil                                - for deep frying
Salt                              -as per taste

METHOD

Soak the barley for 8 hours and pressure cook till one whistle.

Drain excess water from barley.
Heat a pan over medium flame adding one tbsp of oil.
 Add the cooked barley, ginger and green chillies.
 Saute for 3 to 4 minutes or till moisture is absorbed from  cooked barley.
Add the gram flour, rice flour and corn flour and stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from flame and then grind together in a mixie.

Add the mashed potatoes to the ground mixture.
Add salt, coriander leaves, and mix well.
 Shape them into small-medium balls and flatten them on your palms.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan.
Fry the prepared vadais till golden brown and remove from flame .
Drain excess oil.
 yummy crispy barley vadais are ready to serve.

Serve hot with sauce or any chutney.