Burbara Middle Eastern Wheat Berry

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearled barley
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon anise seeds
• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
• ½ cup chopped dried apricots
• ½ cup raisins or dried cherries
• pomegranate seeds for garnish
• nuts of choice for garnish (sliced almonds, walnuts, and pistachios)

Preparation

1. in a medium saucepan, combine the barley with 4 cups of water. bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat and cover to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. uncover and stir in the cinnamon, sugar, anise seeds, and fennel seeds. stir in the dried fruit. cook for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the barley is fully cooked and tender, stirring occasionally. the dried fruit will rehydrate and plump up and the barley mixture will be creamy.
3. transfer the mixture to serving bowls and top with nuts, more dried fruit, and pomegranate seeds for garnish.