I don’t usually get barley cravings or can think of anything that’s best when made with barley.  I don’t have any opinions for or against barley. When I was looking for some grain or seed to add to this smoothie barley drew the lucky number. I did not choose barley because it has fiber, both soluble and insoluble fiber. Nor did I choose it for containing niacin (Vitamin B3), thiamine ( Vitamin B1), selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and copper. Nah, I just thought it might be good, and why not?

So after all that thinking, I did some fridge rummaging and came out with carrots, an orange, a little bit of squash, half a thing, yeah thing is an acceptable word to use  here right? of orange juice concentrate and the barley. Actually the thinking and the fridge rummaging  happened all at once. I imagine I’m a great multitasker during those moments when I’m rummaging in the fridge.

I like to chop the carrots into smallish pieces so that they get blended all the way and not have any rogue floating chunks.

Into the blender I tossed carrots, orange pieces, cooked barley, orange juice concentrate, honey, and about a cup of water and blended until smooth. Stopped to taste. It was very strong and concentrated.  Plus there was this powerful vegetable flavor, I think it was the squash. So I gave it a splash of vanilla, a cup or so of water and about three fistfuls of ice cubes.

Vanilla did the trick. It tasted great.

I think I’ll make it again.

Carrot Orange Barley smoothie

ingredients

• 3 large carrots cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup cooked barley
• 1/4 cup cooked squash
• 1 orange pealed and separated into a few pieces
• 6 oz orange juice concentrate
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2-3 cups water
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 cups ice cubes

Place chopped carrots, orange pieces, barley, squash, orange juice concentrate, honey and some of the water in blender and blend until everything is chopped up. then add the rest of the water, vanilla and ice cubes.

Makes 2-4 servings depending on serving size.