Pearl barley porridge with milk

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you cook pearl barley porridge in milk? Gather the ingredients. Use milk of whatever fat content you like—it doesn't really matter. Making this porridge is a long process, so plan around when you need it ready. If you want to serve it for breakfast, it's best to cook it the evening before, which means soaking the barley that morning.

2. Step 2:

   

   Sort through the barley, picking out any debris and stray bits. Then rinse it well under cool running water. Keep rinsing until the water you pour off runs clear. Cover the rinsed barley with clean cold water. Use filtered or bottled water for this.

3. Step 3:

   

   Let the barley soak for 8 hours at room temperature. During that time it will swell a little and soften. Drain the barley in a sieve and rinse it well once more. Then let the water drain off.

4. Step 4:

   

   Pour the milk into the pot you'll be cooking the porridge in. Warm it until it's warm to the touch. Stir in the prepared barley.

5. Step 5:

   

   Set the pot over low heat. Stirring constantly, wait for the milk to come to a boil. Add the sugar and salt. Turn the heat to its lowest and cook the porridge for 5 minutes. Don't forget to keep stirring so the milk doesn't scorch. From here, we'll cook the porridge over a double boiler.

6. Step 6:

   

   Set up a double boiler. Take a pot big enough to hold the porridge pot so it hangs on the rim without touching the bottom. Pour water into the larger pot and bring it to a boil. Set the porridge pot on top. Be careful not to let the boiling water splash over. Carefully pour off any excess water.

7. Step 7:

   

   Adjust the heat so the water in the larger pot stays at a gentle boil. Leave the porridge to cook over the double boiler for 5 hours. Top up the water in the larger pot from time to time. You don't need to watch the porridge—it won't scorch, since it's cooking by steam. After 5 hours the barley will have absorbed almost all the milk and turned soft and fragrant. Be sure to serve the porridge with butter; it underscores and rounds out its creamy flavor. Enjoy your meal!