Barley and asparagus

If you're like me, you're always looking for easy and delicious and DIFFERENT side dishes. Here's one of my fav's

1 1/2 C quick barley
3 C chicken or vegetable broth
2 Tbs dry onions
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 C chopped carrots
1 C asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil, cover and simmer for about 15 min (until tender)

Steam asparagus and carrots until crisp tender (you may want to start w the carrots and add the asparagus a few min later)

Combine the veggies w/ the barley and sprinkle w/ a little parmesan (optional).