Smoked Chicken Pot Barley Cranberry Salad Food

SMOKED CHICKEN, POT BARLEY & CRANBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Put the soaked pot barley in a pan, cover with water and bring to the boil, or cook the pearl barley following pack instructions. Turn the heat down to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender but retains a little firmness, about 10-15 mins. Drain and leave to cool completely. Meanwhile, put the cranberries in a small bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to plump up for 20 mins.
• Make the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together with a fork. Taste for balance - it should be slightly sweet. Add more vinegar or maple syrup, if you like.
• Cook the beans in boiling water for 1-2 mins or until they're tender but still have a little bite. Drain and run cold water over them to help them keep their bright colour. Drain the cranberries and pat them dry with a tea towel. Core, quarter and slice the pear, then toss the slices with the lemon juice.
• Put the drained barley, beans, cranberries, pear, pecans, lamb's lettuce, parsley and chicken into a broad, shallow serving bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together and serve.

BARLEY LIME FIESTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the barley and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, and chill in refrigerator.
• In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked barley, black beans, green and red bell pepper, corn, celery, red onion, carrot, chipotle pepper, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, salt, black pepper, and cumin until thoroughly mixed.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, corn syrup, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro, white vinegar, and onion powder; pour dressing over barley mixture, and toss to combine. Refrigerate salad until cold.

CRANBERRY CONGEALED SALAD

Steps:

• Toast the pecans in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Once they darken a bit and smell nutty, remove to a cutting board and chop roughly once cool.
• Combine in the same saucepan: the light agave syrup, honey, cranberry juice, orange juice, candied ginger and five-spice powder. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the cranberries to the saucepan, boost the heat to medium and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the cranberries begin to burst open, and the mixture thickens. (I usually use the back of a wooden spoon to pop the berries against the side of the pan.)
• After 15 minutes (no more or the pectin will start to break down) remove from the heat and stir in the pecans. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
• Spoon the mixture into a 3 1/2-cup silicone mold of your choice, cover with plastic wrap and cool on the counter for 30 minutes. Place on a sheet pan before refrigerating for at least 6 hours. (Overnight would be better.)
• Turn out of mold and serve as a side or top with whipped cream and serve as dessert.