Barley and Mushroom soup

This is one of my all time favorite recipes. Although some time does go in its preparation but it is so high on nutrition that I don't mind the effort made. Before I proceed with the recipe, let me share with you some of the nutritional benefits of barley.

Barley:
It is a very versatile and healthful grain. As it is a good source of both soluable and insoluable fibre it is a good way of meeting nutritional goals. The best thing about barley is that it has a high concentration of tocotrienols, componds which act as anti-oxidants and are capable of reducing LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

Barley and Mushroom soup

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Pearl Barley
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
4 tablespoons butter
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3/4 lb mushrooms. chopped
salt and white pepper to taste

Method:
Soak barley in water overnight. Saute garlic, onion and celery in butter until tender. Drain barley and add to vegetables. Saute minutes more until barley becomes thick. Add chicken/vegetable broth and mushrooms and simmer, covered, until barley is tender (about 1 hour). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes 9 cups.

Enjoy this recipe!