Split Pea Barley Soup

Category : Health food

Time Taken : 15-30 mins

Ingredients: 

1 cup dried green split pea lentils

3/4 cup quick cooking barley

1 red onion chopped finely

2 cups chopped carrots

3 celery ribs chopped into little pieces (yields about 1 1/2 cups)

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp Italian seasoning

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt to taste

2 cups of vegetarian vegetable stock (or water)

6 cups of water

Method

1. Wash and drain the green peas.
2. Then soak the green peas in just enough water to cover it for about twenty minutes
3. Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the onions and saute until transparent.
4. Add the minced garlic and saute for a minute.
5. Add the carrots, celery and saute for a minute.
6. Add the salt, paprika, chili powder and saute for a minute.
7. Add the stock and water, then add the soaked green peas and the barley and simmer for about an hour or until peas and barley are soft and all the veggies are cooked.
8. Add the Italian seasoning and simmer for a few minutes.
9. Serve hot. Serves about 5

Notes: When the green peas are sufficiently cooked they will dissolve slightly and the soup will begin to thicken