Photo by Judith Hausman
This late season dish will let you enjoy one last taste of spring.
I love a lemony dressing to brighten the earthy grain flavors, too. Cook the grain when the day is still cool, and add the goodies and about half the dressing while it’s still warm and absorbing. Later, at any time, you can toss in more additions (such as nuts, seeds or cheese) and freshen up the salad with a little more dressing.
Interesting additions include diced, dried apricots, chopped pecans or almonds, parsley or tarragon, chopped fennel, mushrooms, red onion or scallions, crumbled feta cheese, olives, or cherry tomatoes.
Serves 6 to 8.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth (or part water)
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 2 carrots, grated
- 3 radishes, chopped
- 3/4 cup small peas, fresh or frozen
- small bunch red grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- juice of one lemon
- zest of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon dill weed, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
Bring the broth/water to a boil, and add barley. Turn down the heat to simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, at least 30 minutes. Fluff the barley with a fork.
Let cool somewhat, but add the carrots, radishes and peas, grapes, half of the olive oil and lemon juice, the zest and the dill weed while the barley is still slightly warm. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Then, chill completely.
Toss the barley with the remaining lemon juice and oil just before serving.
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