Barley Pilaf

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces, drained (or 4 ounces fresh, sliced)
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 3 teaspoons low-sodium instant chicken bouillon granules
• 3 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bunch fresh spinach

Recipe

• 1 melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan.
• 2 stir in onion, celery and mushrooms; saute until tender (about 5 minutes).
• 3 stir in barley and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned.
• 4 add bouillon, water and pepper; heat to boiling.
• 5 reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 45 to 55 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and barley is tender.
• 6 or place barley mixture in covered casserole and bake at 325 degrees until liquid is absorbed and barley is tender.
• 7 meanwhile, wash spinach thoroughly.
• 8 steam 3 to 5 minutes.
• 9 remove from heat and stir into cooked barley mixture.
• 10 cook until heated through.