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Mediterranean Barley and Mackerel Bowl

Mediterranean Barley and Mackerel Bowl

25 min — Mediterranean

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Mediterranean Barley and Mackerel Bowl
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Mediterranean Barley and Mackerel Bowl

Rich, buttery canned mackerel meets chewy pearl barley and sweet corn in this vibrant Mediterranean-inspired bowl. It's a brilliant way to turn simple pantry staples into a bright, satisfying lunch or light dinner. Fresh lemon zest, crisp bell peppers, and a handful of cilantro cut right through the richness of the fish. You'll love how the frozen corn thaws instantly when tossed with the hot grains, saving you an extra cooking step.

Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
25 min
Servings
4
Course
Category Seafood Pasta
Cuisine
Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 1⅓ cups quick pearl barley (see Note )
  • 1⅓ cups frozen corn kernels
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 2 (4- to 6-ounce) tins boneless, skinless mackerel in oil, drained
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, leaves and stems

Instructions

  1. 1Cook the quick pearl barley according to the package directions, omitting any salt.
  2. 2Drain the cooked barley in a colander and immediately stir in the frozen corn kernels. The residual heat thaws the corn while quickly cooling the grains.
  3. 3Place the colander over a bowl and let the mixture rest until cooled.
  4. 4Grate the lemon zest directly into a large serving bowl. Squeeze in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, saving any extra for another use.
  5. 5Whisk the olive oil, minced garlic, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and salt into the lemon juice until fully incorporated.
  6. 6Fold the cooled barley and corn, drained mackerel, chopped bell pepper, and fresh cilantro into the dressing. Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients.

Nutrition

450kcal
Calories
15g
Protein
22g
Fat
8g
Fiber
337mg
Sodium
20mg
Cholesterol

Notes

  • Serving: You can eat this bowl warm, at room temperature, or chilled straight from the fridge.
  • Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Substitutions: If using standard pearl barley instead of the quick-cooking variety, adjust the cooking time per the package directions to yield 4 servings.
  • Tip: Mackerel is a rich, flavorful substitute for canned tuna. Try swapping it into your favorite tuna salad or sandwich recipes.