This may have quite possibly been the longest two weeks of my life. I think an extra week might have snuck in with me noticing. But I have emerged on the other side with clean carpets and some minor congestion left over.
Being sick, the obvious choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was soup. While I was in Bellingham last year, Iman had taken me to a local deli/bakery called Avenue Bread that made amazing sandwiches and even tastier soups. I had the tomato lentil soup and was instantly hooked. I tried recreating it when I got home. Honestly, I don’t even remember their version because I totally love the one I make.
Tomato, Lentil, and Barley Soup
A delicious mix of hearty vegetables, legumes, and grains in a soup sure to nourish your body and soul.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 carrots, diced or chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 3 small (or medium) potatoes, diced or chopped
- 1/2 cup brown lentils, rinsed
- 1/2 cup barley
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cans reduced sodium chicken broth
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 2 chicken boullion cubes
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (optional)
Instructions
- Saute onion in large pot with some olive oil until soft on medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook 5-10 minutes. Add bouillon cubes and crushed garlic cloves.
- Meanwhile, in small saucepan, boil barley for 15 minutes, until slightly tender. It will continue to cook in the soup.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, lentils, barley, and 3 cans of water. The lentils, barley, and veggies will soak up most of the water.
- Bring soup to a boil. If using chicken, add now. Lower heat to medium low. Reduce heat to low and let cook for 20 minutes. Add Italian seasoning, cracked black pepper and salt to taste. I don’t add any salt to mine as I feel the broth and the cubes add the right amount.
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I love to make lentil soup, but have never tried it with barley! I will try your version this weekend. Glad you are felling better….
That looks soooo good, but where can I find some barley? I don't think I've ever seen it in my regular grocery store, but then again I wasn't looking. Can't wait to try it!
The first time I tried it with barley I had used 1 cup. It soaked up all the liquid from the soup! I think that it adds a nice little bite.
Da Benally, thanks for stopping by! The soup is very easy to make. You'll find barley by the lentils and beans at the grocery store. It comes in a plastic bag just like the beans.