Pearl Barley Casserole

Ingredients

• tablespoon sbutter
• large onion, chopped
• stalk scelery, chopped
• cup pearl barley
• (8 ounce) packagesliced fresh mushrooms (Optional)
• green bell pepper, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• cup schicken broth

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt butter in a 1 ½ quart Dutch oven or oven safe pot over medium heat. Add onion; cook until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add celery; cook and stir until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in barley until coated with butter. Stir in mushrooms and bell pepper; season with salt and black pepper. Add chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cover Dutch oven.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until barley is nearly tender, about 30 minutes. Uncover Dutch oven; continue baking until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes more. Taste; adjust seasonings before serving.