Barley with Walnuts and Bacon

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 slices of bacon
• finely chopped
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
• 3 garlic cloves
• minced
• 1 1/4 cups pearled barley (1/2 pound)
• 4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil.
2. Add the bacon and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 minutes.
4. Stir in the barley and stock and bring to a boil.
5. Cover and cook over moderately low heat until all of the stock has been absorbed and the barley is tender, about 1 hour.
6. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with the toasted walnuts.