Barley Lime Fiesta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 3/4 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon canola oil, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar, or to taste
• Onion powder, or to taste

Directions

Bring the barley and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, and chill in refrigerator.

In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked barley, black beans, green and red bell pepper, corn, celery, red onion, carrot, chipotle pepper, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, salt, black pepper, and cumin until thoroughly mixed.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, corn syrup, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro, white vinegar, and onion powder; pour dressing over barley mixture, and toss to combine. Refrigerate salad until cold.