Warming Barley and Vegetable Soup

• 1 cup pearl barley, uncooked
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 leeks, finely chopped
• 1 large potato, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 large parsnip, peeled and finely chopped
• 34 cup peas
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 chicken stock cube (or other preferred seasoning)
• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Rinse the pearl barley in water.
2. You may need to soak it if the package directions recommend it.
3. Otherwise try to find a "no-soak" variety.
4. Put the pearl barley and chicken stock in a large saucepan.
5. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.
6. Skim off any scum.
7. Stir in all the vegetables from carrots to garlic.
8. Crumble in the stock cube (I use this purely to add flavour- you could use another seasoning mix).
9. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
10. The vegetables should be covered by enough liquid throughout- add more stock or water if they are not.
11. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
12. If the soup is too thick for your liking, stir in a small amount of water or milk.
13. Serve hot and enjoy!

pearl barley, chicken stock, carrots, onion, leeks, potato, parsnip, peas, garlic, chicken, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/warming-barley-and-vegetable-soup-413368 (may not work)