Barley can be used as a base for a grain bowl. I like to top mine with soft boiled eggs, seaweed, sesame and sauteed mushrooms. It also is great as a base for a grain salad {Try using it in place of brown rice in this salad.} As a simple side dish, sauté garlic or onion in butter and add the cooked barley. You can add seasonal veggies too, like finely chopped carrots or zucchini for additional veggie servings. Barley and mushrooms are a classic pairing. Try sauteeing mushrooms in butter or olive oil with shallot and thyme and adding cooked barley for an easy mushroom barley pilaf.