Barley porridge for children (from 3 years)

When we talk about cereals for children, rice and buckwheat are the first to come to mind, then we remember oatmeal, semolina and millet porridge. Very rarely barley porridge is prepared for children.

Its infrequent preparation is connected with the fact that it takes a rather long time to prepare, which not every mother can afford, who is in a hurry not only to feed the children, but also to play with them, take a walk, and pay attention to herself and other family members.

In addition, pearl barley is difficult to digest, so it is not among the cereals with which children are acquainted in the first place. Nevertheless, pearl barley has a lot of useful qualities, and it can and should be given to the baby, after first understanding its advantages and disadvantages.

Barley porridge (pearl barley) – benefits and harm for the child

• Barley is very rich in carbohydrates. This porridge perfectly satisfies hunger and quickly replenishes the child’s energy costs. If the baby has a lack of body weight, it is active and mobile, such a porridge is well suited for its diet

• The special value of pearl barley is the presence of lysine in it – amino acids with an active antiviral effect.
• A lot of pearl barley and fiber, which provides good digestibility, this porridge is recommended for the prevention of constipation.
• Rich in porridge and vitamins. It contains vitamins A, E, K, group B. All of them increase the body’s resistance, are needed for healthy skin and hair, and stabilize the nervous system.
• However, barley porridge is not suitable for all babies, it contains gluten and will cause an allergic reaction in children with gluten intolerance.
• Due to its high calorie content, it is contraindicated in overweight children.
• Excessive consumption of pearl barley causes increased gas formation. This cereal is heavy enough for an imperfect children’s digestive system.
• The taste and smell of porridge are quite specific, so not all children like it.

Recommendations and tips for the preparation and introduction to the diet

• The recommended age for the introduction of barley in the diet is due to the fact that it can cause fermentation in the intestine, so you should not enter it before 3 years.
• First, porridge is introduced in its pure form. The first serving is about a teaspoon. If the baby had a good mood, normal stool, and no skin rashes during the day after the introduction of pearl barley, you can try adding it to familiar dishes: soups and vegetable puree.
• When choosing pearl barley in a store, please note that extraneous debris should not be in the package, the seeds should be small and about the same, the color of the cereal should be beige or yellowish.
• Pay attention to the date of manufacture. Although barley is stored for 2 years, it is better to choose cereals fresher.
• Barley is boiled for a very long time. To shorten the cooking process, it is recommended to soak the cereal for at least 4 hours, and preferably at night.
• Forgot to pre-dunk, but really want to cook? It does not matter, then soak the pearl barley with boiling water and leave for 1 hour.
• Barley can be cooked on water and served as a side dish for meat dishes. Good barley porridge cooked in milk. Barley well absorbs milk, which improves its taste.
• During cooking, the volume of barley increases by 5 times. Keep this in mind when choosing a cooking pot.
• There are a lot of ways to cook porridge. Barley porridge can be boiled, cooked in a slow cooker, simmer until tender in the oven.
• Starting to prepare pearl barley porridge, stock up with enough free time: it is cooked for a long time.

Barley porridge – recipe

Essential Ingredients

• pearl barley – 1 cup;
• water for cooking porridge – 2 glasses;
• milk – 1 liter;

• butter – 40 grams;
• sugar, salt;
• water for preliminary soaking.

1. Rinse the barley with plenty of running water. Soak the cereal overnight. Drain the water in which the cereal has been soaked, rinse the cereal again.
   
2. Pour 2 cups of water and set to boil barley. After boiling, boil the porridge for 15 minutes t.
   
3. Boil and salt the milk (for optimal taste, 2-3 grams of salt will suffice).
   
4. Fold the porridge into a colander and let the water drain.
5. Place the barley in boiled milk and cook for another 20-30 minutes.
   
   
6. Add sugar (25-50 grams).
7. Preheat the oven to 180 °.
8. Place the porridge in a heat-resistant form and send it to the oven for 25-30 minutes.
9. Turn off the oven and leave the porridge in the hot oven for another 15-20 minutes.
10. Serve the porridge warm.
    

A simple recipe for barley in a slow cooker.

1. Place the prepared, pre-soaked cereal in a bowl, pour water or milk in a ratio of 1 to 2 (twice as much liquid as cereals).
2. Add salt and sugar.
3. Set the “Porridge” mode.
4. After cooking, add butter, mix.
5. Leave to languish in heating mode for 30-40 minutes.

How to cook pearl barley porridge (pearl barley) for a child

How to cook barley in water, see the video. Such porridge can be not only a breakfast option, but also a great side dish. Barley in water with meat dishes is especially good and tasty.

Barley porridge is healthy and tasty if you approach its preparation with all responsibility. If your baby doesn’t really like pure porridge, you can prepare a pickle with its addition.

Prepare rice porridge for milk or semolina porridge, millet porridge in milk or oatmeal for your child. The value of cereals is very high in the diet of the child.