Cuban Flavored Barley with Beef

This is a cuban flavoured lunch recipe. If you scroll down my blog you will find a similar recipe Cuban Black Bean & Pork Rice. This recipe is a step taken to take it to the next level of health. 

I had beef in hand and added barley instead of rice and the outcome was amazing and super healthy. In my house its is more of whole grains rather than the processed foods. 

The barley in this recipe made it super healthy and gave an amazingly chewy and nutty texture to the whole dish and the cuban flavours were beautiful complimenting. 

This recipe is so forgiving that the meat in it can be replaced with lean meat like chicken or even lamb works well. 

As i am using my instant pot to make this recipe i haven't soaked the beans or barely but if you wish to use your stove top pressure cooker then its better to soak the grains atleast for 6 hours. 

INGREDIENTS

MARINADE 

2 tbsp Oil

800gm Beef cubes

1½ tbsp Chilli powder (optional) 

1½ tbsp Corriander powder (optional) 

2 tbsp Cumin powder

Salt to taste

SET 1

1 tbsp Dried Oregano

2 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp pepper powder

3 bay leaves

SET 2 

1 Onion, chopped

4 large chillies, chopped

10 fat cloves garlic, chopped

SET 3

5½ cups water 

1 bouillon cube

2 cups barley 

1 cup dry black beans

METHOD

Marinade the meat with the spices mentioned the previous night if possible or it can be done once you start cooking. 

Switch the instant pot into saute mode and once hot add oil to the pan and add the marinated pork pieces to the hot pan and make sure to keep moving the pieces so it doest stick. Cook for 4 mins. 

Add the set 1 Ingredients (pepper powder, oregano, cumin seeds and bayleaf) to the pan along with the meat and mix well. 

Now its time for the SET 2 ingredients (chopped onions, green chillies and garlic), add them and cook for 5 mins or until the onions are translucent. 

Now switch off the instant pot and add thebarley and black beans along with water and bouillon cube to the pan and make sure to deglaze the pan with a wooden spoon or you will get a 'burn' notification later. 

Once the pan is completely deglazed Check for salt (the water must be salty than you require). Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 23 mins, then 5 mins natural pressure release. After 5 mins quick release the pressure. 

Tadaaaaaa... A perfect cuban flavoured barley with beef and black beans is ready to be served. 

Serve it hot with some mint raita. 

MINT RAITA

1 onion chopped

1 small bunch mint chopped

2 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp crushed pepper

2 cups yogurt

Salt to taste

METHOD

Add everything to a bowl and give it a nice mix until everything is combined well. 

Keep refrigerated until serving. 

NOTE

*You can omit the chilli powder if you dont want the spiciness or adjust accordingly. 

*This can be made with lamb too if you dont consume pork. 

* Check the salt before closing the lid, it must be saltier than you prefer. Thats because when the completed dish salt level will be perfect.