Sadly, even at my age (44) there are many foods that for one reason or another, I have never tried.  This is the year that I’m working on changing that!!

Hopefully when my boys are adults, they will have many less ingredients on their list of things they have never tried!!!

Barley  is one of those things that I had never tried.

However, this week I changed that not only for myself but also for my husband and boys!!!

Greek Barley Salad

• 1 t olive oil
• 3 c chicken broth
• 1 c uncooked pearl barley
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 c grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small can sliced olives
• 1 container (4 oz) Feta cheese
• 3 T olive oil
• 1 t grated lemon rind
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• 1 T minced fresh basil
• 1 t minced fresh thyme
• 1 t red wine vinegar
• salt to taste
• minced garlic (3 cloves or 1.5 t)

Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan; add barley.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer 35 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  

Combine barley, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, olives and feta in a large bowl.

Combine oil, lemon rind and juice, basil, thyme, vinegar, salt and garlic; stir well.  Add to barley mixture and mix well.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.

And, if you wanted to turn this into a meal (especially in the summer), you could easily add some chicken!!