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Vegetable Barley Soup

Vegetable Barley Soup
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Vegetable Barley Soup is a comforting, wholesome, and hearty dish filled with nutritious vegetables and chewy pearl barley. Perfect for warming up on chilly days, this soup balances rich flavors and nourishing ingredients that satisfy hunger and support overall wellness. Easy to prepare with simple pantry staples and adaptable for various dietary preferences, it’s a classic comfort food that nourishes both body and soul.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed thoroughly
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a balanced texture throughout the soup.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, garlic, and chopped celery. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes, to create a flavorful soup base.
  3. Add Vegetables and Barley: Stir in chopped carrots, tomatoes, and rinsed pearl barley. Mix everything evenly to combine the ingredients well.
  4. Pour in Broth and Herbs: Add the vegetable broth along with bay leaves and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the barley is tender.
  5. Finish with Greens: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in fresh spinach or kale if using. This will add vibrant color and fresh flavor while preserving the greens’ texture and nutrients.
  6. Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper according to your preference. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting warmth of the soup.

Notes

  • Rinse barley thoroughly to remove excess starch and avoid a gummy texture.
  • Use homemade vegetable broth for richer flavor if available.
  • Simmer gently to allow barley to cook evenly and flavors to meld deeply.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end for best taste results.
  • Add leafy greens last to keep them vibrant and tender.
  • For a thicker soup, mash a portion of cooked barley and vegetables, then stir back into the soup.
  • This soup is not gluten-free due to barley; substitute with gluten-free grains like quinoa or brown rice if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegetable barley soup, hearty soup, vegetarian soup, healthy soup, comfort food, barley soup, nourishing soup

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/vegetable-barley-soup/