Spelt and Wild Mushroom Pilaf

Ingredients

• 1 cup spelt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 (8-ounce) package exotic mushroom blend (such as shiitake, cremini, and oyster), coarsely chopped

Preparation

1. Place spelt in a medium bowl. Cover with hot water to 1 inch above spelt. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain.
2. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 3 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in spelt, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 50 minutes or until spelt is tender. Uncover and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is almost absorbed. Remove from heat; keep warm.
3. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped mushrooms to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. Stir mushroom mixture into spelt mixture.