Barley Bistro Bowl Food

BARLEY GRAIN BOWL WITH TAHINI VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook the barley in a medium pot in plenty of salted water until tender but still chewy, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and cool.
• In a food processor, combine the tahini, scallions, jalapeno, garlic, vinegar and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Process until you have a smooth, thick green dressing. If the mixture is too thick, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin to about the consistency of pancake batter.
• Combine the vinaigrette and cooked barley and mix to thoroughly coat the barley. You may not use all the vinaigrette. Set up two serving bowls. Evenly divide the barley between the two bowls. Top each with the olives, tomatoes and capers. Season with a pinch more salt and garnish with the cilantro.

BARLEY BISTRO BOWL

Steps:

• Make the barley: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the barley, and cook until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Drain well, transfer to a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. (The barley can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead. Microwave just enough to take the chill off, about 2 minutes, stirring about halfway through.)
• Make the tomato-pepper sauce: While the barley cooks, blend the tomatoes, peppers, mayonnaise, tarragon, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until creamy and smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use. (The sauce can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Make the bacon and breadcrumbs: Put the bacon in a large nonstick skillet, and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, and transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings, and return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs, and stir constantly until golden and crunchy, about 2 minutes. Transfer the breadcrumbs to a small bowl.
• Fry the eggs: Wipe out the skillet, and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to foam, crack all 4 eggs into the skillet, and sprinkle each with some salt. Cook the eggs until the whites have set and the yolks are still runny, about 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Build the bowls: Divide the barley evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with neat rows or piles of bacon, frisee, goat cheese, olives and sauce (leave room for the egg). Top each with an egg, some sauce and a sprinkling of toasted breadcrumbs.