Pearled Barley

Barley is not a common food item with me so I decided to venture into the unknown:) Added 1 cup dry pearled barley to 2.5c boiling water and let simmer for 40 minutes (good time to meditate:). Then stirred in:

• 1tsp fennel seed
• 1tsp black sesame seed
• 1tsp ground cumin
• juice from 2 lemons and zest from 1
• 2tbs olive oil
• 1/3c raisons
• 1/2c chppped walnuts

Barley was great with steamed broccoli but could have improved color contrast by also adding something orange or red like steamed carrots, red bell pepper, or salmon. Thought I needed more protein so added a poached egg and sprinkled with ground flax. Very tasty; ate all:)