Stew With Herbs and Barley

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2-3 lbs rabbit or stewing veal or chicken parts
• 1 lb leek, washed trimmed and thickly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped finely
• 6 ounces barley
• 3 3/4 cups water
• 3-4 tablespoons red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• salt
• ground black pepper
• 15 fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped or 1 tablespoon dried sage

Directions

1. 1

   Melt the butter in a heavy pan and fry the meat with the leeks and garlic till the vegetables are slightly softened and the meat lightly browned.

2. 2

   Add the barley, water, vinegar, bay leaves and seasoning. Bring the pot to the boil, cover it and simmer gently for 1 - 1 1/2 hours or till the meat is really tender and ready to fall from the bone.

3. 3

   Add the sage and continue to cook for several minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve in bowls.