Toasted Barley Salad with Tomato, Zucchini, & Caramelized Corn

Sep 4, 2011

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With autumn just around the corner, I've been frantically using up the glorious summer bounty our garden has so graciously shared this season. The kitchen counter is practically overflowing with squash, green beans, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, bell peppers, basil, raspberries, and other such lovelies.

The bounty of summer is hard to under-appreciate. Nothing compares to biting into a freshly picked, deep red, juicy tomato. Really, nothing quite does. Likewise, an ear of grilled corn slathered with butter and sprinkled with a bit of salt epitomizes summer. All of this and the long, lazy summer evenings on the back porch surrounded by great company are the things I will miss most. 

This end-of-summer salad was inspired by that abundant harvest of fresh produce consuming the kitchen counter. It's kind of like summer on a plate - fresh and bright. I hope you'll enjoy it as we begin our farewells to this wonderful, generous season.

Notes: This kind of salad is the perfect dish for a picnic or a long, lazy summer lunch because it gets better as it sits and marinates in the dressing. Serve it with grilled meats or fish as a side dish, or with plenty of lightly cooked vegetables as a vegetarian main course. The salad is also very open to  adaptations based on what the garden is producing. Feel free to even add some toasted nuts for a bit more crunch.

Adapted from here

10 friendly note(s):

  1. This looks AMAZING, so fresh, so healthy, love it as a side or a main dish!

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  2. What a rich veggie salad. Anything made from tomato and zucchini will definitely be a center of attraction for us.

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  3. The beautiful colors of summer all in one dish. I'm making this soon, before fresh corn is done for the season.

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  4. Brooke, this was really delicious. So fresh and summery! However, I think you also should have posted a picture of what this plate of yummy food looked like approximately 30 seconds after you took this picture...you know, when you briefly turned your back and and the dog ran up and ATE it.
    Hey, even better: a photo of the look on your face once you discovered your deliciousness had been consumed by the canine (that you don't even like). Yes, that would have been a great photo.

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  5. Oh, my. I know JUST what you mean about wanting to hold onto the last bits of summer produce. I can't believe it's drawing to a close already.
    This recipe looks like just the right way to enjoy the bounty of summer. Lovely.

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  6. I just made this tonight! The flavors were incredible. I also grilled some chicken breasts just lightly seasoned with lemon pepper, fresh squeezed lemon, pepper, some dry basil, etc...perfect combo! Thank you for a delicious addition to my evening :)

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  7. Alyssa - I am so happy that you enjoyed this so much! The grilled chicken sounds like the perfect accompaniment.

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  8. I just found your blog and I must say I adore it. I cannot to make... well one of everything. :)

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  9. One of our contributing writers at BeBetsy.com loved this recipe. She made the dish, added a couple of ingredients and we have provided a link back to your site! Hope you like the post. http://bebetsy.com/2012/09/17/toasted-barley-salad/

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    Replies
    1. How wonderful! Thank you for the mention on your website. I love the idea of adding red peppers! I'll definitely try that the next time I make this. :)

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