Moroccan Chickpea Barley Salad Recipe

adapted from Simply Recipes

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups barley (pearled cooks fastest)
1 1/2 cups chicken or veggie broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp salt
olive oil
1 15-oz can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and strained
1 cup shelled pistachio nuts
1 cup diced dried apricots
2-3 chopped green onions or scallions
1 cup chopped parsley
Zest and juice of a lemon
1 Tbsp of ras el hanout spice mix*
Salt to taste

*Ras El Hanout Spice Mix:
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/8 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp turmeric

Directions
1. 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 large pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the barley is tender but toothsome, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how old the barley is.
2. Strain the cooked barley through a colander or sieve and run cold water over to cool it quickly. Toss and mix in the colander to strain as much water as you can. Put strained barley in a large bowl and pour a small amount of olive oil over it. Toss to coat the barley in olive oil.
3. To the large bowl of barley, add the chickpeas, pistachios, apricots, green onions and parsley and mix well. Add the zest and juice of the lemon and mix again. Sprinkle the ras el hanout spice mixture over the barley and mix well. Taste, and add salt if needed.
4. Let the salad marinate for an hour or so before serving.
Serves 6-8