SLOPPY SECONDS!!!!!!!!!!! (Starters)

Member Name: amylouspurr

Product:	Starters
Date:	01/02/06 (219 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, filling, healthy.

Disadvantages: Takes quite a long time to make.

This is a briliant winter warmer and although a small bowl is great for a starter its filling enough to have as a main meal as well.

I created this recipe by mixing and matching a few of my favourite soup recipes, taking what i consider the best parts of each and what ive ended up with is somthing like minestroni.

I cant stress to you enough how good for you fresh vegetable soups are as you dont loose any of the goodness of the vegetables like you do when you boil them in water then throw it away. They are also cheap to make and keep in the fridge or freezer for ages.

I always try to use at least half organic vegetables so i know im getting the full goodness and although it is more expensive is worth it in the end.

Serves: 4 (large helpings)
Cost: £3.50
Prep time: 1 Hour

Ingredients:

100g Pearl barley
1 Head Brocolli, chopped
2 Carrots, thinly chopped
1 Leek, thinly chopped
2 Sticks Celery, thinly chopped
1 Tin Lentils
1 Small Tin Chopped Tomatoes
2 Cloves Garlic, crushed
2 Tbs Tomato puree
8 Tbs Red Wine
3 Pints Chicken Stock (good quality organic stock cubes)
2 Bay Leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:

Make up the stock.
Simmer the pearl barley in a pint of the stock in a small saucepan for 10 minutes.
At the same time Simmer the brocolli in the rest of the stock for 8 mins, add tin of tomatoes, heat for 2 more mins stirring, then liquidise in a blender.
Saute the leeks and the garlic in the wine for 5 mins, add the rest of the veg and heat for a further 5 mins, stirring continuously.
Add all three mixtures together in a large pan.
Add Tomato puree, bay leaves and lentils
Bring to the boil then simmer on alow heat for 30 mins stiring occasionaly.
Remove bay leeves
Salt and pepper to taste

Serve with crusty bread and butter.

Enjoy!!!...........

Summary: Hearty warmer, full of goodness