Cool Barley Salad

Healing properties of barley

cooling thermal nature; sweet and salty flavor; strengthens the spleen-pancreas, regulates the stomach and fortifies intestines; builds the blood and yin fluids and moistens dryness.  Paul Pitchford:  Healing with Whole Foods, p.467
 

½ cup barley                                    ½ cup curly parsley, chopped into small pieces
½ green onion (scallion), chopped   ½ cucumber, diced into small pieces
1 tomato, diced                                light dressing (lemon juice, seasoned olive oil)

cook barley in one and one quarter cups of water, bringing to a boil, then simmer until water is absorbed (approximately 60 minutes) After barley is cooked, place in strainer and rinse with cold water
mix vegetables together, fold in dressing that is seasoned to your choice
add barley, mixing to combine ingredients,  and chill in refrigerator.