Nutty Barley Brew

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup pearl barley
• cold water, to cover
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup fresh baby carrot
• 1-2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, fresh grated if possible
• 1 tablespoon Splenda brown sugar blend, more to taste
• 1-2 teaspoon vanilla extract or rum extract
• ground cinnamon or nutmeg, to top

Directions

1. 1

   Rinse pearl barley and cover with cold water in a medium pot.

2. 2

   Bring to a boil and drain.

3. 3

   Pour 4 cups of fresh water into the pot with the barley along with the cinnamon sticks and nutmeg.

4. 4

   In a blender puree 1 cup water, pecans, carrots and lemon zest.

5. 5

   Add puree to pot.

6. 6

   Bring to a boil and then simmer over very low heat for 45 minutes.

7. 7

   Strain through a fine mesh sieve and or cheesecloth. Press out all of the liquid. You may need to strain it twice.

8. 8

   Stir in Splenda and extract to taste.

9. 9

   Enjoy hot or cold.

10. 10

    Top with ground cinnamon or nutmeg.