Lentil and Barley Greek-Style Salad with Tomatoes, Feta, and Capers

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup small green or brown lentils
• 1/2 cup pearl barley
• 2 large garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
• 2 T capers
• 3 T fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 T red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. Greek seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. minced fresh garlic
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Put the lentils, barley, and sliced garlic in a pot, then add enough water to rise a few inches above them. Cook until both are tender. If the lentils are fairly new, they can simmer right along with the barley, with about 45 minutes of cooking time altogether. If the lentils have been hanging out in the pantry for a while, cook the barley and lentils in separate pots, since older lentils often need much more time.
2. As they cook, prep the rest of the salad: dice the tomatoes or halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the green onions thinly, crumble the Feta, and portion out the capers.
3. For the dressing, stir together the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Greek seasoning, and minced garlic. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking, so the dressing comes together smoothly.
4. Once the lentils and barley are tender, drain them thoroughly and remove the garlic slices. Transfer the lentils and barley to a bowl that is roomy enough for the finished salad.
5. Cool the lentils and barley for about 20 minutes. Add enough dressing to coat them well and stir it through. You will have extra dressing, so set it aside for refreshing the salad after chilling or for another green salad.
6. Add the tomatoes, green onions, feta, and capers, then fold everything together gently. Serve the salad slightly warm or at room temperature.
7. Even though tomatoes are usually best kept out of the refrigerator, this salad still holds up well after chilling. If it has been refrigerated, bring it back to room temperature and stir in a little of the reserved dressing if you want to freshen it up. You can also add tomatoes only to the portion you plan to eat, then mix more into the leftovers later.