Middle Eastern Barley, Lentil, & Rice Casserole

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup dried lentils
• 1/2 cup pearl barley
• 1/2 cup long-grain rice
• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricot
• 1/2 cup raisins (i used golden sultanas)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried mint
• pepper

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in a medium-large saucepan (i used a 2q pan and it was just right; i've also sauteed in water instead of oil).
• 2 add onion and garlic; cook& stir 2 min.
• 3 stir in cinnamon, sugar, and 4 c water.
• 4 add lentils and barley.
• 5 bring to boil on med heat; reduce heat to low.
• 6 cover and simmer gently for 20 min.
• 7 add rice, apricots, raisins, and mint; stir.
• 8 simmer, covered, 20 more min or until all the ingredients are tender and have absorbed the liquid.
• 9 season to taste with pepper.