Italian soup with pearl barley
Ingredients: (serve 6)
• large splash of olive oil
• 4 onions onions, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• a pinch of chilli flakes
• 400 gram tin of chopped tomatoes, canned
• 60 millilitres white wine vinegar
• 5 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery sticks, chopped
• 300 grams chestnut mushrooms, chopped
• 1.5 litres water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
• 400 grams pearl barley
• 300 grams canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 100 grams baby spinach
• 200 grams parmesan shavings
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C.
2. Heat a large splash of olive oil in a large high-sided pan, gently fry the onions, garlic, chilli flakes, chopped tomatoes and white wine vinegar.
3. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring often until tomatoes are caramelized and deep red.
4. Add the carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pan, cook for a further 8 minutes until browned.
5. Pour in the water, season with salt and pepper, allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Dry roast the pearl barley in the oven for 8 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and cook in boiling water for 15 minutes.
8. Stir the cannellini beans, spinach and pearl barley through the sauce.
To serve: Finish with parmesan shavings.
Recipe created for #FoodSavvy Norfolk & Suffolk