Date-Sweetened Barley Porridge with Sesame

Pearl barley simmers into a tender porridge sweetened with dates and honey, finished with toasted sesame and coriander. It echoes Rations Marked in Clay, where temple kitchens crushed barley before dawn as scribes waited with damp clay.

Serves 4

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Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. 1Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant then set aside.
2. 2In a large pot combine the barley, water, salt and ground coriander then bring to a boil.
3. 3Reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes stirring occasionally until the barley is tender and the porridge thickens.
4. 4Chop half the dates and stir them into the porridge along with the honey then cook 2 more minutes.
5. 5Serve warm topped with the remaining chopped dates and the toasted sesame seeds.