Using the “bain marie” method to slow cook overnight/off peak
Ingredients
• If you frequently use barley, lentils, beans, etc (to add to soups & stews) it is a good idea to prepare some in advance to have "ready to use" in the fridge. Cook overnight (off peak) using a slow cooker with a heat proof dish inside using the "bain marie" method, no way it can spoil cooked in this way with gentle heat.
Method
I have a large slow cooker & a plastic microwave lidded dish (I think it's for cooking rice in the microwave) that fits nicely inside my slow cooker, I also use an old fashioned pudding steamer. I put a small metal tea pot stand in the slow cooker, place the filled dish onto it then top up with hot water to about 3/4 up the side of the filled dish. It really is that simple. I cook all sorts of things this way as it can be left to happily cook on low without the fear of burning.
For most of the grains (inc. barley, oats, lentils, etc) I use 1 measure of grain to 4 measures of water. If it's cooked in water it can then be used for either mixing with savoury meals (soup) or mixed with yogurt, spices & seeds as a sweet. Sometimes I add half a lemon which keeps the flavour neutral but fresh.
How did you find the recipe?