Vegetable Barley Soup: Simple Staples

I am a simple girl by nature.  I like simple things.  I like my life to be simple.  In fact, when my life gets complicated, I am the first person to admit that I completely freak out.  I plan things very carefully in order to avoid too many things crashing onto me at the same time, because I am much nicer, saner, and more collected when things remain simple.

I dress simply.  I like simple clothing with few embellishments.  (I think this may have to do with the fact that I am extremely fashion challenged.)  It has come to the point where I buy the same thing but in multiples.  Case in point - while in Texas, visiting CJR, I awoke the next morning, and changed into fresh shorts and a fresh t-shirt, only to have CJR ask me, "Did you sleep in that?"  I explained that no, that I actually have multiples of five of my favorite shorts and tshirts.  (Jcrew khaki shorts a size too big so that they hang longer, and gap black tshirts in case anyone wants to emulate my complete non-fashion sense.)

I also approach meals very simply.  I like to think of meals in terms of starch, protein, and green vegetable, and a combination of hot and cold.  No matter what the weather, I try to balance all of those things.  Generally having a container of soup ready in the fridge solves the vegetable and hot factor so I always tend to have that on hand.  Sandwiches for lunch?  Sure, with a bowl of soup.  Sandwiches for dinner?  Excellent with a bowl of soup.  Breakfast on a cold day?  A bowl of soup with crusty bread works.  As it turns out, Son is a huge soup lover and will often ask for it at breakfast.

This is the soup that I've been making quite often, as it uses mostly pantry and refrigerator staples.  It doesn't not have any meat in it, but with a grilled cheese sandwich you do really get a lovely meal together.  I often gift this soup as many people appreciate a bowl of soup when they are tired or hungry in ways that a chocolate chip cookie doesn't satisfy.  At the end of a long day, or when you're hungry for lunch, soup just fills you up and satiates you like nothing else.  When I want to be simple, I simply choose soup.

(cute way to package soup - learn how from Sillie Smile)

It easy to put together and easier to store and freeze if you want.  I sometimes make huge batches (like when I buy too many carrots and celery) and take out frozen containers whenever dinner seems lacking.  Rotisserie chicken alone?  Meh.  Rotisserie chicken with a bowl of homemade soup?  Ahhhh..simple dinner.

Vegetable Barley Soup (Vegan option)
Serves 7 to 8 people

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 lb carrots, chopped (any shape you like -the bigger the pieces, the longer cooking time)
2 cups celery, chopped
1/4 cup barley (I like pearl barley)
2 quarts chicken stock (or vegetable stock if you want vegan)
14.5 oz can tomatoes pureed (you can buy already pureed if you like...I just blend them quickly)
1/2 cup basil, chopped

Method
Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and onions. Cook onions in oil until translucent and slightly beginning to color about 5 minutes. Add carrots and celery and continue to saute another 2 minutes. Add barley and cook for another minute and then add chicken stock and pureed tomatoes.

Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat, cover and allow to cook until barley is tender to the bite, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle chopped basil on top and cook for another minute longer. Serve with crusty bread or whatever you have around the house.

Printable recipe

Love for the simple things