Chicken and Barley....Stuff??

It's been so long, but we're finally back! We took the summer off due to lots of travel and busy-ness, but I have a recipe that I have made many times that I know you're going to love! It's hard to describe, but once you have tried it you'll realize that there is not need for a name. Right now, the best I can do is "Chicken and Barley...stuff". Good enough for everyone who has eaten it so far, and it will be good enough for you (Dammit!) So let's get on with the recipe, shall we?

ingredients:

- 2 cups barley

- 4 cups chicken broth

- 2 cups water

- 2 celery stalks (diced)

- 3 carrots (diced)

- 4 cloves garlic (minced)

- 2 small onions (diced)

- 2 tsp salt

- 2 tsp pepper

- 3 stalks fresh thyme (or 2 tsp dry thyme)

- 1 tsp Rosemary

- 3 boneless chicken breasts

- 2 Tbsp butter (we use Smart Balance light...tryin' to get slim!)

For the gravy:

- 3 Tbsp butter (again, you can also use a healthier substitute)

- 2 Tbsp Flour

- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock

- Salt & Pepper

Makes approx. 8 servings

Directions:

1) Prepare all of your vegetables in the way they are described above.

2) In a large pot, add 2 Cups water, 2 cups chicken stock and 2 cups  barley. Bring to a boil.

3) Add veggies, herbs, salt and pepper and reduce to low heat. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.

4) Cook 3 boneless chicken breasts (season lightly with pepper) in a medium-sized skillet. When cooked, dice into small cubes.

5) Add chicken and 2 more cups of stock into to barley mixture. Cover and keep on heat for 15 minutes, or until everything is fully cooked.

To make the gravy:

1) make a roux by adding 3 Tbsp butter to the same pan used to cook the chicken, on low to medium heat. (this will deglaze the pan and add extra flavor to the gravy) 

2) Once the butter is mostly melted, slowly add 2-3 Tbsp flour, and stir until it turns into a light brown thick clump?

Like this!

3) Slowly add 1 1/2 cups chicken stock to the mixture. It will be lumpy, but have no worries! Use a wisk to work out the lumps, add black pepper and this is what you should see. (This is all easier than it looks, by the way)

4) Pour the gravy over the...stuff, stir and ENJOY!!

.....................It tastes even better while watching Doctor Who, just ask Chris!.................................

***Optional: Serve it over biscuits or a dinner roll to give it a hearty touch~***

For those of you who have been heckling me to get back on my blogging game (ah hem *Tracey*)... I am sorry to have disappeared on you like this, and Chris and I promise to keep up. How couldn't we? We have our whole summer to tell you guys about!

<333