Barley Pilaf

This is my first time cooking with Barley. If not for blogging, I wouldn't have given it a try. Blogging is giving me an opportunity to expand my culinary horizon and I am loving it. I certainly will be making this pilaf on a frequent basis.It  is filling, very yummy,healthy and wholesome.

Ingredients:

• Barley - 2 cups, soaked overnight and pressure cooked with little salt
• Bell peppers(red, green, yellow) - 1/4 cup, julienned(cut to strips)
• Cubanelle pepper - 1, julienned (optional)
• Corn Kernels - 1/4 cup, fresh or frozen
• Carrot - 2, small, julienned
• Onion - 1, large, diced
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Cracked pepper - 1 tsp or less
• Toasted Pine nuts - a handful (slivered almonds mayb be used instead)
• salt for taste
• Olive Oil - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

• In a deep skillet, heat the oil and add the minced garlic.
• In less a minute, add the diced onions and saute until browned.Once the onion is browned, add the peppers, carrot and the corn kernels.
• Add a little water and cook the vegetables in low flame for 5 minutes with lid closed.
• Add cracked pepper and barley.
• Sprinkle salt for taste.
• Gently mix to contents in the pan and cook for 5 more minutes with a little salt.
• Serve hot with hot and sweet sauce. 

Tip: Barley must be soaked overnight just like chickpea and take the same amount of time like chickpea to pressure cook.

Makes 2-3 servings

Enjoy!