Confetti Barley Medley

Bursting with vibrant colors and wholesome flavors, Confetti Barley Medley is a delightful and nutritious side dish or light main course that's as beautiful as it is satisfying. This recipe combines chewy pearl barley with a rainbow of fresh vegetables—red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, sweet red onion, and crisp corn kernels—creating a stunning medley that's both nourishing and eye-catching. Tossed in a zesty, honey-cumin lemon dressing and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish delivers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes. Ready in under an hour, it’s a versatile option that can be served warm, chilled, or at room temperature, making it ideal for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. With its hearty grains, fresh ingredients, and light citrus dressing, Confetti Barley Medley is a must-try recipe for anyone seeking a healthy and flavorful addition to their table!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium zucchini
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.75 cup frozen corn kernels
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pearl barley thoroughly under cool water.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the pearl barley and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the barley is tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 3

While the barley is cooking, dice the red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion into small pieces.

Step 4

In a small pot, cook the frozen corn according to package instructions, then drain and let cool.

Step 5

Chop the fresh parsley finely and set aside.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled barley, diced vegetables, cooked corn, and parsley. Toss well to mix evenly.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the barley mixture and toss until all the ingredients are coated.

Step 9

Adjust seasoning with more salt or black pepper if desired.

Step 10

Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors meld.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1695.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1058.3

Total Fat 6.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4314.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 233.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.9g	0%
Total Sugars 38.2g
Protein 31.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 203.0mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 2317.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.9%

Protein: 11.3%

Carbs: 83.9%