Peach-Cucumber-Barley Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup pearl barley
1 3/4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
water
1 seedless cucumber
2 ripe peaches
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaf
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 head boston lettuce, leaves separated, washed and dried

Preparation

Place barley in a 4 qt saucepan. Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, or until toasted, stirring.
Stir in the broth and water, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 35 minutes or until tender. Drain if necessary, and set aside to cool slightly.
Meantime, scoop out and discard the seed cavity of the cucumber, then cut it up into 1/4 in pieces.
Pit and chop the peaches.
Cut the tomatoes into quarters (halve if they are very small).
In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil and 1/4 tsp salt.
Add barley and toss until well coated. Allow to cool, then add the cucumbers, peaches, tomatoes, and chickpeas, tossing until well combined.
Serve over lettuce leaves.
Note: I had no basil leaves when I made this again, so used the vinaigrette from Recipe #460660, some additional fresh thyme and a little pineapple sage, which worked very well.