Four Bean Soup with Barley & Lentils

I found this recipe on Taste.com.au ...the best recipe website!
I added red lentils and salt & pepper, swapped the parsley for basil because I love basil and we happen to have a big pot of it in the garden.

Picture from Taste.com
But I'm sure mine looks just as good!



Get This (serves 4)

• 1 tb olive oil
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
• 1 carrot, roughly chopped
• 3 thyme sprigs
• 1/2 cup (105g) pearl barley
• 1/3 cup red lentils
• 2 cups (500ml) salt-reduced vegetable stock
• 2 x 400g cans four-bean mix, rinsed, drained
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Do This

1. Heat the oil in a large, deep saucepan over low heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, carrot and thyme, and cook, stirring, for 8-10 minutes until onion is soft. Add the barley and stir to coat in the onion mixture. Add the vegetable stock and 1 litre (4 cups) water, then bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes or until barley is slightly tender.
2. Add the beans, lentils and tomato, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Bring back to a simmer and cook for a further 15 minutes or until barley and lentils are soft. Serve in bowls sprinkled with basil.