Barley and Pine Nut Casserole

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to George in Poughkeepsie for this oldie but goodie:

He ordered one hamburger, one order of french fries and one drink.
The old man unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in
half. He placed one half in front of his wife. He then carefully
counted out the french fries, dividing them into two piles and
neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. He took a sip of the
drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them.
As he began to eat his few bites of hamburger, the people around
them kept looking over and whispering. You could tell they were
thinking, "That poor old couple - all they can afford is one meal
for the two of them."

As the man began to eat his fries a young man came to the table. He
politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple. The old
man said they were just fine - they were used to sharing everything.
The surrounding people noticed the little old lady hadn't eaten a
bite. She sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally
taking turns sipping the drink. Again the young man came over and
begged them to let him buy another meal for them. This time the old
woman said "No, thank you, we are used to sharing everything."

As the old man finished and was wiping his face neatly with the
napkin, the young man again came over to the little old lady who had
yet to eat a single bite of food and asked "What is it you are
waiting for?"

She answered, "The teeth."

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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Grains are ideal candidates for slow cooking because the long,
gentle cooking allows them to reach tender perfection.

Barley and Pine Nut Casserole

1 1/2 cups (375 ml) tomato juice
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) beef, chicken, or vegetable stock
1 cup (250 ml) pearl barley, rinsed
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper (capsicum), cored, seeded,
and chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup (60 ml) pine nuts (pignoli), toasted
3 scallions (spring onions), green and white parts, chopped

Combine all ingredients except the pine nuts and scallions an a slow
cooker and cook covered on low until the barley is tender, 6 to 8
hours. Alternately, cook tightly covered over a very low flame for
3 to 4 hours. Stir in the pine nuts and top with chopped scallions.
Serves 4 to 6.
Received on Fri Sep 9 14:36:26 2005