Cherry Barley Pilaf Recipe

Introducing Busch’s Food Market Brighton Michigan

I was asked by Busch’s Fresh Food Market Brighton to attend their grand opening of their Brighton, Michigan location. I got some great local and organic ingredients to make the Cherry Barley Pilaf Recipe at the end of this post.

Wow! At the store, I was impressed with what I saw. Freshness abounded everywhere I looked.

From the moment you walk in the door, you see fresh local fruits and veggies.

Walt and I felt we were in an old time grocery store with the selection of a modern day supermarket.

I have never been in a store where each and every item is “Choice”.

I loved the big bulk section. They even had variations of the same thing (3 kinds of quinoa, etc).

Busch’s Fresh Food Market Brighton carries flavored oils and vinegars that you can bottle fresh!

The meat and seafood counter seemed to go on forever with wonderful selections and cuts. You can also get specific cuts and weights of meat cut to order by their friendly meat staff and butchers. Very rare these days to get such personal service!

Now don’t think for one minute because Busch’s Fresh Food Market Brighton carries so many natural, organic, fresh, specialty foods that they don’t have sales. THEY DO! Look at these all natural baby back ribs that were $1.99/pound (regularly $4.99/pound)! We got two huge meaty racks of ribs for $12. Guess what we’re having for dinner soon?

What other features and highlights can I tell you about the store?

Instore Starbucks
Instore Sushi counter and chef
Traditional and self checkouts
Large selection of craft beers
Samples. Lots of samples!

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When you do, you will enjoy member-only benefits like coupons, exclusive sales, invitations to special events, online shopping, curbside pickup, plus you can support local schools through their Cash for Education program, and even win FREE groceries for a year!

Want to see a closer look? Don’t miss the cheese counter, deli, in-store specials and friendly sales staff featured in this video!

Here’s a great Cherry Barley Pilaf recipe that I made with Busch’s Dried Michigan MontMorency Cherries and Arrowhead Mills Organic Pearled Barley that I purchased at Busch’s Fresh Food Market Brighton Michigan.

5.0 from 36 reviews

Cherry Barley Pilaf Recipe

This Cherry Barley Pilaf takes a traditional dish to a whole new healthy level with multiple grains and dried fruits. A Pilaf is a dish in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth with added spices, vegetables and whatever strikes your fancy. Can be easily doubled. Lasts all week in the fridge.

Author: Shelley Zurek

Recipe type: Side Dish

Ingredients

2 teaspoons oil (canola or avocado)
1 cup thinly sliced celery (or leek)
2½ cups water
3 cups chicken broth (I used low sodium, fat-free chicken broth. Vegetable broth works as well.)
½ uncooked long cooking pearl barley
½ cup rice blend or brown rice
½ cup dried cherries (or currants or diced dried apricots or dried cranberries)
¼ cup uncooked bulgur
½ cup salted dry roasted sunflower seeds
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsely
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Use a high sided frying pan or a dutch over and add oil and butter to pan.
Add celery, cook on medium 4 minutes or until tender. Stir often.
Add water, chicken broth, barley, and rice blend to celery, bring mixture to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer 35 minutes.
Stir in dried cherries and bulgur, cover, and simmer an additional 10 minutes or until grains are tender.
Remove from heat.
Stir in sunflower seeds, parsley, and pepper.
Enjoy!

Have you signed up for Busch’s Fresh Food Market MyWAY newsletter? Have you ever made a pilaf?