I have a pot of soup in the slow cooker. If I was to throw in a
handful of barley, how long would it take to cook. The recipe calls for
macaroni, but I'd like to use barley instead...Thanks...Sharon

>
> I have a pot of soup in the slow cooker. If I was to throw in a
> handful of barley, how long would it take to cook. The recipe calls for
> macaroni, but I'd like to use barley instead...Thanks...Sharon

I usually use 2/3 cup of uncooked barley when I make sort of a chicken soup
or beef rib recipe, it will absorb lots of the liquid if it is uncooked.
Mix it in very well into the liquid and by the time the meat is done the
barley will be done. If you cook the barley first, it will not absorb as
much liquid.

Harriet & critters (J J the world famous jack russell terrior who is glaring
at Ms PK the lady manx who rules the house, becasue she is in the chair by
the window).

biig wrote on 28 Feb 2006 in rec.food.cooking

>
> I have a pot of soup in the slow cooker. If I was to throw in a
> handful of barley, how long would it take to cook. The recipe calls for
> macaroni, but I'd like to use barley instead...Thanks...Sharon

Your best bet is to cook the barley seperately and add it pre cooked to the
soup. Barley sucks up a lot of stock and while cooking can leave a starchy
taste.

--
-Alan

Mr Libido Incognito wrote:
>
> biig wrote on 28 Feb 2006 in rec.food.cooking
>
> >
> > I have a pot of soup in the slow cooker. If I was to throw in a
> > handful of barley, how long would it take to cook. The recipe calls for
> > macaroni, but I'd like to use barley instead...Thanks...Sharon
>
> Your best bet is to cook the barley seperately and add it pre cooked to the
> soup. Barley sucks up a lot of stock and while cooking can leave a starchy
> taste.
>
> --
> -Alan
I rinsed it well and added it. The package says 1 1/2 hours, but
last time, it was still al dente after that much time. This time I put
it in 4 hrs before I plan on serving. There was lots of liquid and the
barley was intended to thicken the soup. We don't like thin soup. I
usually keep adding veg, etc to fill out the juice. We've had rice so
often lately that I didn't want to use it in this soup. Thanks...Sharon

biig wrote:
> I have a pot of soup in the slow cooker. If I was to throw in a
> handful of barley, how long would it take to cook. The recipe calls
> for macaroni, but I'd like to use barley instead...Thanks...Sharon

I add a handful of barley to my mixed bean soup in the slow cooker and it
turns out just fine in about 30 minutes.

Jill