Breakfast Barley with Fruit

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups uncooked pearl barley
• 5 cups water
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, quartered
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped

Preparation

• Place 1/3 cup barley in a blender; process until coarsely ground (about 15 to 20 seconds). Place ground barley in a large saucepan. Repeat procedure with remaining barley. Cook barley over medium heat 4 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently.
• Add water, sugar, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 25 minutes or until barley is soft, stirring frequently. Add milk; cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Stir in raisins, apricots, and almonds. Serve immediately.

Lora Brody, Cooking Light 
JANUARY 2003