Springtime Barley Pilaf with Spring Peas, Asparagus, and Artichokes with a Mint Pesto

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup shelled fresh peas
  
• 1 large artichoke
  
• 6-7 medium - large asparagus spears
  
• 2 cups vegetable broth, preferably homemade
  
• 1/2 cup white wine
  
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  
• 1 cup barley grain
  
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
  
• salt and pepper
  
• pinch dried thyme
  
• 10 mint leaves
  
• 10 sorrel leaves
  
• 1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves
  
• lemon zest from 1/2 lemon
  
• 2 cloves of garlic
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, or enough to make a sauce-like consistency
  

Directions

1. Trim the top and bottom off the artichoke. Slice into 8 pie-shaped pieces; hollow out the choke. Rub with lemon to keep it from turning brown.
2. Bring the veggie broth, white wine and lemon juice to a boil. Add a sprig of thyme. Throw in the peas and artichoke slices. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the peas and artichokes are tender. Remove from the broth mixture and set aside.
3. Put the barley grain into the broth mixture and add 1/2 cup of water. Simmer for about 30 minutes or until the barley is al dente (tender but a little chewy).
4. Preheat the oven to 400F. Cut the asparagus spears into 3/4" slices on the diagonal and toss in a little olive oil, salt, pepper and a pinch of dried thyme. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, or until tender. Set aside
5. In a blender, combine the mint, sorrel, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and garlic cloves. Whirl like crazy while drizzling in the olive oil. Drizzle in enough to get a pour-able consistency.
6. When the barley is done, toss it with the peas, artichokes, asparagus and mint-sorrel pesto. Serve warm.