This soup is packed full of vegetables and barley so it will certainly fill kids up! If they prefer a smooth soup, then blitz with a hand blender. For a meal option, try adding some diced cooked chicken and warm through. This soup freezes well.
This soup is packed full of vegetables and barley so it will certainly fill kids up! If they prefer a smooth soup, then blitz with a hand blender. For a meal option, try adding some diced cooked chicken and warm through. This soup freezes well.
Typical nutritional content (per portion)
50g (2oz) pearl barley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery sticks, diced
1 leek, diced
Few sprigs of fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1.2 litres (2 pints) reduced salt chicken or vegetable stock
Freshly ground black pepper
Place the pearl barley in a sieve and rinse well under cold running water.
Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat and stir in the onion, carrots, celery, leek and thyme and cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not coloured.
Pour the stock into the vegetable mixture, add the barley and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables and barley are completely tender but still holding their shape. Season to taste with the pepper.
Ladle into bowls to serve and garnish with a sprig of parsley.