1 cup Barley
6 cups Vegetable broth
2 medium Carrots
2 stalks Celery
1 medium Onion
2 cups, chopped Spinach (or kale)
3 cloves Garlic
2 Bay leaves
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the barley to the pot and stir well, allowing it to toast lightly for about a minute.
Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the barley is tender.
Stir in the chopped spinach (or kale) and cook for another 5 minutes.
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Serve hot, and enjoy! This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a side salad.