MOROCCAN CHICKPEA & BARLEY SALAD

Moroccan Chickpea & Barley Salad image

Provided by strawberrybird

Categories Grains

Time 45m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/2 cups barley
1 1/2 cups chicken or 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
olive oil
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and strained (garbanzo beans)
1 cup shelled pistachio nut
1 cup diced dried apricot
2 -3 chopped green onions or 2 -3 scallions
1 cup chopped parsley
zest and juice of a lemon
1 tablespoon ras el hanout spice mix
salt
ras el hanout spice mix
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot on medium high heat. Add the barley and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Add the broth, water, and a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the barley is tender, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how old the barley is.
Strain the cooked barley through a colander or sieve and run cold water over to cool it quickly.
In a large bowl, add the chickpeas, pistachios, apricots, green onions and parsley. Mix well. Add the lemon zest and juice and barley and mix. Sprinkle the ras el hanout spice mixture over the barley and mix well. Taste, and add salt if needed.
Let the salad marinate for about an hour before serving. If the barley has absorbed all the olive oil, drizzle a little more on right before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.7, Fat 11.5, SaturatedFat 1.5, Sodium 615.9, Carbohydrate 70.9, Fiber 15.6, Sugar 13.8, Protein 14.6