Ingredients
- 2 tbsps. finely chopped onion or shallot
 - 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
 - 2 cups uncooked quinoa or barley, rinsed
 - 1 ¾ cups water or reduced sodium vegetable or chicken broth
 - 1 ½ tsps. chopped fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried thyme, crushed
 - 1 bay leaf
 - 1 cup bottled roasted bell peppers, diced
 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
 
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Stir in quinoa or barley. Cook and stir about 5 minutes, or until quinoa or barley is golden brown.
 - Carefully stir in water or broth, thyme and bay leaf. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender and fluffy (cook barley about 10 minutes or until tender and liquid is absorbed).
 - Discard bay leaf. Gently stir in roasted peppers. Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper.
 
Test Kitchen Tip: If desired, stir in 1 bunch fresh asparagus, sliced with the roasted peppers