Vegetable Barley Soup

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 stalks celery, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 6 carrots, about 1/4 - 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno, small dice
• 1 serrano pepper, small dice
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes (or plain)
• 8 cups unsalted vegetable stock
• 8 cups water, filtered
• 4 cups mushroom broth (or substitute 2 c filtered water and 2 c veg stock)
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium tamari
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 12 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
• 1 sprig fresh sage or 3 -4 leaves fresh sage
• 1 sprig fresh oregano, 3 inches
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 basil leaves, chiffonade
• 14 teaspoon savory
• 1 cup barley (rinsed)
• 1 lemon, zest of
• 12 lemon, juice of
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups cauliflower, small pieces
• 1 lb cremini mushroom, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 5 ounces Baby Spinach, organic
• 1 lb frozen mixed vegetables
• sea salt
• pepper

1. Heat a very large heavy pot, over high heat.
2. Add olive oil.
3. Add to pot, one at a time, and saute about 1 minute before adding next ingredient, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, carrots, jalepenos and serrano; adding a pinch of salt with each addition.
4. Add tomatoes.
5. Add liquid, tamari, tomato paste, lemon zest and herbs.
6. Bring to a boil, add barley, reduce heat and cover.
7. Simmer about 1 hour, until barley is tender.
8. Taste for seasoning.
9. Add Salt and pepper if needed.
10. Remove bay leaf, and sprigs of herbs.
11. Add broccoli, cauliflower, simmer about 5 minutes, then add the mushrooms, frozen mixed vegetables, and simmer a few more minutes.
12. Stir in spinach and lemon juice.
13. Garnish with basil or flat leaf parsley and/or drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil.

extra virgin olive oil, onion, stalks celery, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, carrots, garlic, serrano pepper, tomatoes, water, mushroom broth, tamari, tomato paste, fresh rosemary, sage, oregano, bay leaf, basil, savory, barley, lemon, lemon, broccoli florets, cauliflower, cremini mushroom, mixed vegetables, salt, pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/vegetable-barley-soup-501044 (may not work)