Vegetable Barley Soup

Do you know about nutritive benefits of barley? If not, you'll be amazed to know that barley has high levels of dietary fiber and selenium, a type of antioxidant.

Ingredients:

1 carrot chopped
2 leeks cleaned and sliced into thin rounds
1 red pepper chopped (or sub any winter veggie)
3 ribs celery sliced or chopped
Chiffonade of several kohlrabi leaves
1 tbsp olive oil
8 cups vegetable stock
2 cups medium pearled barley
1 bay leaf
1 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large pot heat olive oil over medium and add all vegetables except the kohlrabi leaves. Sweat the vegetables until they turn a very bright color. Add the vegetable stock, bay leaf, thyme and barley. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to a soft boil and cook for 30 minutes. Add the leaves and continue to cook another 30 minutes or until the barley is tender.