Naked Barley & Shio Koji Brussels Sprouts Salad with Miso Ponzu Dressing
We first made this salad for a holiday party for our friends at Sugarpine Drive-In to demonstrate how shio koji can lightly ferment vegetables.
Shaved Brussel sprouts are tossed with salt and shio koji, then left at room temperature overnight (the same approach works great with cabbage, too). Then they’re tossed with cooked naked barley and green onions. A dressing inspired by Japanese flavors combines citrusy ponzu, umami-packed miso, briny dried kelp, rice vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.
What You'll Need
Ingredients
For the shopping list
- 1/2 pound of naked barley
- 1 pound of brussel sprouts*
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ponzu
- *substutute 1/2 head green cabbage, finely chopped
Equipment
From the kitchen
- 1 Chef's Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Large Sauce Pan + Lid
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Plant researchers at Oregon State University Barley World are working to reintroduce eaters to naked barley.
Varieties that easily shed their tough outer hull, naked barleys have been around forever, but not widely cultivated as a food crop. Similar to wheat berries like freekeh and farro, naked barley offers a rich, nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture. Use it wherever you need a flavorful, nutritious grain.
What you'll have to do
Step 1
Cut the Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise, then slice thinly crosswise. Put the sliced sprouts in a bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and add 2 tablespoons of shio koji. Use your hands to mix well, squeezing to lightly crush sprouts and allow the salt and shio koji to penetrate. Cover the bowl and let it rest at room temperature overnight or for at least 4 hours.
Step 2
Put the barley into a pot with a lid, stir in a good pinch of sea salt, and add enough water to cover the grain by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for at least 45 minutes, adding water as needed to keep the barley covered. Keep tasting and when it’s slightly soft but still chewy, remove from the heat, cool, and drain.
(You can cook the barley ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a week or so.)
Step 3
Make the dressing by blending 2 tablespoons of miso (red or white; red is aged longer and has a slightly stronger flavor) with 2 teaspoons of kelp, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of ponzu sauce, and 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
Step 4
Combine the barley, brussels, and onions, and toss with the dressing.
Step 5
Best served at room temperature.
Shop this recipe
Sauces & Condiments
Liquid Shio Koji
Nagano - Japan
Salt, Herbs, & Spices
Italian Fine Sea Salt
Trapani - Sicily
Sauces & Condiments
Red Miso
Portland - Oregon
Out of stock
Salt, Herbs, & Spices
Wild Icelandic Kelp
North Atlantic Ocean - Iceland
Olive Oil
Novo Frantoio
Tuscany - Italy
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