Summer Barley Salad With Cucumber, Apricots, And Walnuts

• Barley Salad
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 3 cups water
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 English cucumber
• 1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
• 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
• salt
• Dressing
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon aioli (I had some leftover but you can use mayonnaise)
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Wash barley if dirty. Place in a pot with 3 cups water, thyme, and salt to taste. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat. Let simmer for 45 mins or until soft, but still chewy. Drain excess water and let cool.
2. Quarter cucumber and slice thinly. Place in a large bowl with the diced apricots, walnuts, and red onion. Add the barley once cooled.
3. To make the dressing, mix the mint, tarragon, lemon and salt together. Add the buttermilk and aioli (or mayonnaise). Blend thoroughly together (I like to use a small jam jar and shake until fully blended). It should be smooth with no lumps. Add pepper and more salt to taste.
4. Mix dressing with barley and other ingredients. Serve at room temperature.

barley salad, pearl barley, water, thyme, cucumber, dried apricots, red onion, walnuts, salt, dressing, fresh mint, fresh tarragon, lemon, buttermilk, aioli, salt

Taken from food52.com/recipes/22538-summer-barley-salad-with-cucumber-apricots-and-walnuts (may not work)