Healthy apple-barley salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup barley, whatever kind you prefer or can find
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup mined fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup minced fresh mint
• 1 medium apple, your favorite kind, unpeeled, cored and diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about the juice of one lemon)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey

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Preparation

• Pinch salt and a grinding of pepper to taste.
• For the salad, toast the barley in a dry pot over medium heat for a few moments until light brown, about 3 minutes.
• Be sure to stir so it doesn't burn. Add the stock and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat so the liquid simmers, cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes.
• The barley should be soft. Remove from the heat and if there is extra liquid that hasn't been absorbed, drain it off.
• Transfer the barley to a serving bowl and toss with the parsley, mint and apple.
• For the dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, apple juice, vinegar and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the barley and toss to coat. Refrigerate until cold before serving, at least 30 minutes.