Pearl barley has the hull removed. It takes about 30 minutes to cook in liquid. It will soak up some of the extra liquid in soups, so if you like a thick soup don't do anything different, but if you like a "soupy" soup, then add more water/broth. It's a good source of fiber. -- Donna/NM
Great in beef or vegetable soups - I just throw a handful or two into the pot. It's pretty forgiving, but if you cook it for hours it will get mushy. -- Cathe
Cook it the same way you cook brown rice. Put water in a sauce pan with a little salt and bring to a boil. Use a ration of 1 barley to 2 waters. (Example: 1 cup barley to 2 cups water.) Add barley, bring back to a boil, and then turn down to a simmer and cover. Cook covered for 45 minutes. Barley makes a very interesting change to rice. Put gravy or sauce over it. I have a lentil stew recipe that goes over the top of barley or bulgar wheat that is good. -- Martha R.