Italian Lentil and Barley Soup

Time required: 13 Hours 15 Minutes

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• ⅓ cup pearl barley
• 1 cup carrot (chopped)
• 1 cup celery (chopped)
• 1 cup onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3½ cups broth
• 2½ cups water
• 14¼ ounces Italian-styled tomatoes or regular stewed tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar (optional)

Preparation

1. Sort through lentils to remove debris and shriveled beans, then rinse.
2. Add lentils to crock pot, along with barley, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, dried herbs and bay leaf.
3. Pour in broth, water, and tomatoes.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 12 to 14 hours, or on high heat for 5 to 6 hours.
5. Discard bay leaf and just before serving stir in parsley and vinegar. (If you don't use the vinegar, the soup might taste more bland as you're omitting a major contributor of flavor.).
6. Lentils aren't like dried beans. They don't require soaking and cook pretty quickly when you do it right.
7. When you buy your lentils, go somewhere that has a decent turnover so your lentils haven't been sitting on the shelf for years. Also, don't add any additional salt to the soup while it is cooking, and don't add lentils to already boiling water as either one can make lentils tough.

Source: http://low-cholesterol.food.com/recipe/italian-lentil-and-barley-soup-81047

More Winter Recipes

Local Farmer's Markets

Clayton Farmers Market • 8282 Forsyth Boulevard (west parking lot of Straub's), 314-913-6632, claytonfarmersmarket.com

25 to 30 vendors selling food and food-themed products from Missouri and Illinois; local artisans and bakers. Emphasis on the homegrown, homemade and handcrafted. Senior health screenings, children's art activities on selected Saturdays; music with sit-down area for dining.

Ellisville Farmers Market • Bluebird Park, 225 Kiefer Creek Road, 314-435-9445, ellisvillefarmersmarket.org

15 to 20 vendors selling local produce, meat, dairy products, honey, barbecue and baked goods plus items from local artisans. Chef demonstrations; live music; special area for children. New additions include wool and yarns, homemade soaps and llama cart rides.

Ferguson Farmers Market • 20 South Florissant Road (downtown Ferguson), 314-324-4298, fergusonfarmersmarket.com

45 to 55 vendors selling local fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, bread and pastries, organic meats, nuts, honey, flowers and plants, plus a wide variety of artwork and crafts. Special events include cooking demonstrations, food contests with cash prizes and tours of nearby Mueller Farm.

Maplewood Farmers Market • 7260 Southwest Avenue (Schlafly Bottleworks parking lot), 314-241-2337, schlafly.com/community/farmers-market/

Kirkwood Farmers Market • 150 East Argonne Drive, 314-822-0084, kirkwoodjunction.com