Grain And Greens

Name: Grain And Greens
Ingredients: cooking spray; 3/4 cup chopped onion; 1 fennel bulb, chopped, about 1 1/2 cups; 1/2 tablespoon oil; 1 -3 garlic clove, finely chopped; 3/4 cup red peppers, orange, and or 1 yellow bell pepper, about 1 medium, sliced thin; 1 cup pearl barley; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried marjoram; 4 -5 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup spinach leaves, torn into pieces; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh basil; salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

14 ingredients

7 steps

Ingredients

cooking spray
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 fennel bulb, chopped, about 1 1/2 cups
1/2 tablespoon oil
1 -3 garlic clove, finely chopped
3/4 cup red peppers, orange, and or 1 yellow bell pepper, about 1 medium, sliced thin
1 cup pearl barley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
4 -5 cups vegetable broth
1 cup spinach leaves, torn into pieces
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh basil
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1

Generously coat a large heavy pot with spray oil and place over medium-high heat.
2

Add the onions and fennel and saute until tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
3

Add oil and heat until hot.
4

Add the garlic and bell peppers and saute lightly for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in barley, thyme, marjoram and broth.
5

Bring to a boil, immediate reduce heat to low and simmer until the liquid is almost absorbed, stirring occasionally, 40 to 50 minutes or until barley is tender.
6

Midway through the cooking process, add salt and pepper to taste.
7

When barley is cooked, add spinach, cheese and basil. Stir to blend and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, to taste.