Leek and Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 4 leeks sliced
- 2 oz pearl barley
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 carrots sliced
- 14 oz can tomatoes
- 1 pint vegetable stock or water
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 7 1/2 oz can butter beans drained
cheesy bread
- 4 round slices French bread
- 1 1/2 oz butter for frying
- 1 clove garlic cut in half (optional)
- 4 oz Cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion, leeks and carrots and fry gently for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes with their juice, the stock and the barley, herbs and bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, stirring, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 50 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time,
- 3.. Meanwhile, make the cheesy bread: melt the butter in a frying-pan and when it sizzles add the slices of French bread. Fry over fairly high heat, turning once, until the bread is crisp and golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan, drain on absorbent paper and leave to cool.
- Rub each side of fried bread with the cut sides of the garlic, if using. Press the grated cheese evenly on to the slices of bread, dividing it equally between them. Heat the grill to high.
- Remove the bay leaf from the soup, stir in the drained beans and heat through. Adjust seasoning.
- Toast the cheese-topped slices of bread until the cheese starts to bubble.
- Ladle the soup into 4 warmed individual soup bowls and top each one with a slice of cheesy bread. Serve at once.
Calories: 614 kcal
Carbohydrates: 83 g
Protein: 22 g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 53 mg
Sodium: 1404 mg
Potassium: 862 mg
Fiber: 11 g
Sugar: 13 g
Vitamin A: 7604 IU
Vitamin C: 24 mg
Calcium: 357 mg
Iron: 7 mg