Barley gruel(simplified Chinese: 大麦粥; traditional Chinese: 大麥粥; pinyin: dàmàizhōu) is a type of porridge found in Danyang, Jiangsu. It is made from barley, rice and alkali.
According to local legend, when Qian Long came to Danyang, officials couldn't take expensive and delicate food. Worried, the officials presented barley gruel to Qian Long. The emperor was happy with the food and enjoyed the taste. Since that time, the people of Danyang eat barley gruel for their breakfast and supper.
Firstly, prepare some barley flour which is mixed with water and some dietary alkali which is used to enhance the flavor of the gruel. As soon as the porridge starts boiling, turn down the flame and then pour the mixed barley paste into the porridge. After that, add a spoonful of dietary alkali to it and at the same time, stir the porridge to make it wildly distributed. When the porridge is boiling up again and its color become yellow, it can be taken out to eat. [1] [2] [3] [4]