Fruited Breakfast Barley

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup apricots dried quartered
• 1 cup milk 1% low-fat
• 1.3 cups pearl barley uncooked
• 0.5 cup raisins 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 cup slivered almonds toasted coarsely chopped
• 5 cups water 

Equipment

• sauce pan
• blender

Directions

1. Place 1/3 cup barley in a blender; process until coarsely ground (about 15 to 20 seconds).
2. Place ground barley in a large saucepan. Repeat procedure with remaining barley. Cook barley over medium heat 4 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently.
3. Add water, sugar, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 25 minutes or until barley is soft, stirring frequently.
4. Add milk; cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Stir in raisins, apricots, and almonds.
5. Serve immediately.