Talbina - Healthy Barley Porridge (Prophetic Recipe)

Talbina - Healthy Barley Porridge (Prophetic Recipe) - Talbina is a Prophetic breakfast recommended by the beloved Prophet Muhammad Saw ﷺ. This simple Sunnah dish is a nutritious porridge made from ground Barley . It may have numerous health benefits and is thought to be particularly beneficial during times of Anxiety, Grief and even during Post Partum. This 5 minute Talbina is nutritious, filling and delicious and is made in 2 easy steps! In this Recipe I use ground Talbina/Barley Flour from Roohts.

If you are a lover of Barley Recipes, why not try Barley Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Mixed Seeds, Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup or Pearl Barley Soup.

What is Talbina?

Talbina is a porridge made from Barley.

Note -  Traditionally it is made with Roast Barley Flour (As Saweeq/Sattu) and Water. However nowadays, it is consumed as a Porridge with Milk and has a thicker consistency than the original version that is made with Water.

Talbina Flour can be made from Flaked Barley, Pearl Barley, Pot Barley, Hulled Barley, Barley Flour or Roast Barley Flour. 

Talbina once ground can be made with Water or Milk and just like Porridge made with Oats, it can be topped with many ingredients such as fresh Fruit and Honey.

I first came across Talbina many years ago when I read about it in Ibn al-Qayyim's book 'The Prophetic Medicine'. In this book it was described as a soup that gives relaxation for the heart of the sick person. It was also considered beneficial when served to family members of someone who had passed away.

As some of you know, I went on to study Unani Tibb and we also studied Prophetic Medicine and Foods during that course in which we learnt that it was a great remedy for Post Partum mothers and can also be used for weaning (if gluten sensitivity is not an issue).

Note - Ground Barley is said to be more beneficial in Islamic Medicine as it is more easily digested then whole Barley.

Ingredients in Talbina

You really only need 2 ingredients to make this recipe. They are:

Barley Flour

The main ingredient! Use Whole grain Barley Flour or Barley Powder. I use Roohts Barley Flour. It is the best one I have tried.

Milk

We add a cup of Milk - Dairy or Non Dairy.

Optional Extras

Honey or Maple Syrup

For added sweetness.

Warming Spices (Optional)

Cardamom, Saffron, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ginger etc or use Chai Masala Powder, Pumpkin Spices, or Gingerbread Spices.

Fruits, Nuts, Seeds

I like to add Figs, Grapes, Bananas, Berries and Nuts and Seeds such as Pecans, Walnuts, Black Seed, Flax Seed. I also like to add a sprinkling of Granola and some chopped Dark Chocolate.

Nut Butter Paste

Mix 1 heaped tablespoon Peanut or Almond Butter (or any Nut/Seed Butter), with a little Honey or Maple Syrup and a splash of Milk. Mix to create a paste.

Chocolate

Add some chopped Dark Chocolate.

How to Make Talbina in 2 EASY steps

For the full recipe with ingredient measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page:

Add a couple of tablespoons of Barley Flour to either Water to Milk or a combination of the 2. 

Simmer whisking regularly over low heat for 5 minutes until it thickens to the porridge consistency.

At this stage, you can add Spices and a sweetener of your choice and simmer for a further minute or 2.

Note - You can make it as thick or as thin as you like. Add more Milk/Water according to your taste. 

 

Making Talbina with whole Barley

Whole Barley comes in 3 main forms:

• Hulled barley - This is wholegrain. The outer shell is removed from the grain. 
• Pearl barley - This is polished and the outer husk and bran layers have been removed. 
• Pot barley - This is is less processed in comparison to pearl barley but not as chewy as hulled barley.

To use whole Barley (Hulled Barley, Pearl Barley and Pot Barley), pre soaking in cold water overnight is required. The following morning it is added to boiled milk and then simmered for 45 - 50 minutes. You can also grind whole Barley to make a powder and then make the Talbina from that.

Whilst whole Barley is very nutritious, for ease we use ground Barley Flour so the Porridge is ready to eat in 5 minutes.

Talbina made using Pre Roasted Barley Flour  (JAU KO SATTU)

You can use pre - roasted Barley Flour to make Talbina. The flavour is sweeter and more earthy. To use it, cook it using the same method as the one in the recipe card below.

How to make Talbina with Barley Flakes (Jau Daliya)

• Boil Milk and add Barley over medium heat.
• Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
• Add chopped Medjoul Dates (If they are dry, pre soak for 10 minutes).
• Cook for 5 - 6 more minutes until it reaches a porridge-like consistency.
• Drizzle over Honey and add ¼ to ⅓ teaspoon Cardamom powder or whatever you prefer.

Barley Flakes can also be used to make Cereal Bars. I made these Barley Bars from the recipe linked above to test them out and would highly recommend them as a nutritious make ahead breakfast.

Talbina Benefits

As well as being a sunnah food (recommended by the Prophet Muhammed saw). Some of the potential benefits are listed below:

• Aisha (RA - May Allah be pelased with her) would often prescribe Talbina for sadness, Anxiety, Depression or Grief. It is also beneficial for post partum.
• Barley is rich in vitamins (especially b vitamins) and minerals. It is a particularly rich source of fibre, molybdenum, manganese and selenium.
• Barley has antioxidant properties and is thought to help boost immunity and aids control of blood sugar levels.
• Barley is thought to be beneficial to those suffering with mental health issues such as symptoms of depression.
• Talbina aids in weight loss as it keeps hunger at bay.

Hadith on Talbina

Hadith 1

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said that whenever one of her relatives died, the women assembled and then dispersed (returned to their houses) except her relatives and close friends. 

She (may Allah be pleased with her) would order that a pot of Talbina be cooked. Then Tharid (a dish prepared from meat and bread) would be prepared and the talbina would be poured over it. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) would say (to the women), "Eat of it, for I heard the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) saying: 

'The talbina soothes the heart of the patient and relieves him from some of his sadness.' (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5058)).

Hadith 2

"It (talbina) soothes the grieving heart and cleanses the ailing heart just as one of you cleans dirt off his face with water." (Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3445)).

Hadith 3

"You should eat the beneficial thing that is unpleasant to eat (Talbina), meaning broth. If any member of Allah’s messenger family was sick, the cooking pot would remain on the fire until one of two things happened, either the person recovered or died." (Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3446).

Storage and Reheating

Talbina is best made fresh but if you do have leftovers they can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container or a pot with a tight fitting lid for up to a day.

Reheat on the hob or in the microwave with a couple of tablespoons of milk or water. 

Toppings and Variations 

Water or Milk

Talbina can be made with Water or Milk and you can adjust the quantities of the liquid too.

Add your favourite ground Spices

Such as Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom etc. This is especially beneficial during the colder months.

Sweetener

Add a drizzle of sweetener such as Date Syrup, Honey, Maple Syrup, Agave.

Nut Butter

Add a tablespoon of Nut Butter such as Tahini, Peanut Butter or Almond Butter.

Seeds and Nuts

Add a sprinkling of toasted  Nuts or Seeds such as Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Pecans.

Granola

Add a sprinkling of Granola or toasted Coconut or almond flakes.

Compote

Add stewed fruits or Compote.

Plant Based Milks

Use plant based milks such as Oat milk or coconut milk.

Fruits

Add fresh fruits or dates which act as natural sweeteners.

Grilled Dates

Add Grilled Dates - Grill or lightly cook dates in a pan with butter or ghee, then drizzle with honey. Add a pinch of salt and pepper at the end and add to the Porridge. 

Other uses for Talbina

This broth can be used as a stock for soups or stews or as a thickener.

More Ramadan Recipes:

Nabeez – An energising Suhoor drink for Ramadan

30 delicious and healthy dinner (iftar) ideas for ramadan

30 Delicious and Healthy Breakfast (Suhoor) ideas for Ramadan

Date and Peanut Butter Balls

More Barley Recipes:

Chicken & Barley Soup

Barley Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Mixed Seeds

Haleem

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