How to make Talbina - Healthy Barley Porridge

How to make Talbina - Healthy Barley Porridge - Talbina is a Prophetic breakfast recommended by the beloved Prophet Muhammad Saw. This simple dish is a nutritious porridge made from ground barley and it has numerous health benefits. 

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Talbina

I first came across Talbina many years ago when I read about it in Ibn al-Qayyim's book 'The Prophetic Medicine'.

In his book it was described as a soup that gives relaxation for the heart of the sick person.

Whilst whole grain barley is nutritious, it is better to have it as a flour in a broth for ease of digestion. 

Talbina is nutritious, filling and delicious!

Ingredients in Talbina

Barley

The main ingredient! Use Whole grain Barley Flour or Barley Powder.

Milk

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

Warming Spices (Optional)

Cardamom, Saffron, Cinnamon, Ginger etc.

How to Make Talbina

Optional step - If you are using Barley flour that isn't pre roasted, you can lightly roast it in the pan at the beginning for 2 minutes.

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

Simmer slowly over low heat for 5 minutes until it thickens wishing regularly.

At this stage, you can add Spices. I like to add Saffron, Cardamom and during colder months, grated Ginger! I do this over medium heat.

Note - You can make it as thick or as thin as you like. Add more Milk/Water according to your taste. I like to go for a porridge-like consistency. 

Barley Porridge, Talbina Benefits

There are many benefits to eating Barley. Other then this being a sunnah food (recommended by the Prophet Muhammed saw). Some of the benefits are listed below:

• Talbina or Barley is thought to help in the lessoning of sorrows as well as being a healing soup for those who are sick. 
• Barley is rich in vitamins, minerals and other beneficial plant compounds.
• Barley is a particularly rich source of fibre, molybdenum, manganese and selenium.
• It also contains good amounts of copper, B vitamins such as vitamin B1, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium and niacin making it beneficial to those with physical weakness and can help boost immunity.
• Barley has antioxidant properties.
• Is very filling and can contribute to weight loss.
• Barley can boost intestinal health.
• Barley may also lower your cholesterol levels.
• The beta-glucans found in barley have been shown to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol by binding to bile acids.
• Barley is cheap and incredibly easy to add to your diet. 
• It may prevent Gallstones and Reduce Your Risk of Gallbladder Surgery.
• It may help to reduce blood pressure and aid with stabilising blood sugar levels/glucose levels. 
• Barley is thought to be beneficial suffering with mental health issues such as symptoms of depression.

Hadith on Talbina

Hadith 1

Aishah (may Allaah 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 Allaah 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 Allaah 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

The Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) also said:

"The talbina gives rest to the heart of the patient and makes it active and relieves some of his sorrow and grief." (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5325)).

Hadith 3

"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 4

"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).

Using Pre Roasted Barley Flour

The Talbina below was made using Barley Flour that has not been pre roasted. It also has additional flavourings like Ground Ginger, Cardamom, Clove and Cinnamon as well as Saffron and Maple Syrup.

Here is why you would use Pre Roasted Barley Flour in Talbina:

Flavour

Use pre - roasted Barley Flour for a sweeter richer more earthy flavour.

Consistency

Barley Flour that has not been pre roasted tends to thicken up quicker and the consistency can become quite lumpy if left for a few minutes. (This can be easily rectified by pouring in a splash of boiling water).

Pre Roasted Barley Flour eliminates that issue altogether. Pre roasted Barley Flour thickens up but doesn't tend to get lumpy. 

How to make Talbina with Barley Flakes (Jau Daliya)

Boil Milk and add Barley.

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.

Drizzle over Honey and add 1/4 to 1/3 tsp Cardamom powder or whatever you prefer.

Barley Bars

Barley Breakfast Bars via LA Times

I made the Barley Bars from the recipe linked above to test them out and yum!

Storage and Reheating

Talbina is best made fresh but if you do have leftovers to reheat, reheat on the hob or in the microwave with a couple of tablespoons of milk or water. 

Toppings, Variations and Notes

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

How to make Talbina - Video

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