Ingredients

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

1/3 cup barley
1 med onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
3 tomatoes chopped (or 15 oz can chopped tomatoes)
6 cloves garlic chopped
1 jalapeno pepper chopped
15 oz can beans

Directions:

I LOVE barley and use it every chance I get! This takes a while to make but is really no effort.

Simmer 1/3 C barley in 4.5 C water for 45 minutes. After 30 minutes have passed - Get a large frying pan with 1 tbs oil, add garlic and onion. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the green pepper and simmer 3 minutes more. Add the rest of ingredients and the drained barly. Simmer that for 20 minutes (covered) and 10 minutes uncovered.

To serve a group - double the tomatoes, beans, and barley. I use a crock pot (after the barley is cooked and the onions sauteed). DO NOT double the jalapeno because the heat builds in slow cooking (unless you LIKE hot).

MY WAY - well, I use 3 jalapenos and 2 green chillies in a double recipe but most folks find that too hot.

Serves: 2-3

Preparation time: 1.5 hr