WINTER BARLEY VEGGIE STEW

6 servings, 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small red beet, peeled and cut into chunks

• 1 tbsp ghee

• 1/2 fennel bulb, chopped

• 2 tsp fennel seeds

• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano 

• 1 garlic clove, chopped (or sub 2 finger pinch of asafoetida)

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped

• 3 medium carrots, peeled & chopped

• 3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 small parsnip, peeled and chopped

• 1/2 cup green mung beans, soaked for at least 2 hours

• 2/3 cup Barley (soaked for at least 2 hours with a splash of lemon juice if hulled) 

• 5 cups veggie broth 

• Juice of 1/2 lemon (use the other half for serving)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped, for topping 

DIRECTIONS

1. Start by boiling the peeled and chopped beet chunks in 2 cups of water. Boil until soft, allow to cool once cooked, set aside.

2. In a separate large pot, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the fennel bulb and heat until translucent (about 2-3 mins). 

3. Add the fennel seeds, oregano, garlic, and ginger and heat until aromatic (1-2 mins).

4. Add the celery, carrots, and parsnips and saute with the spices and a pinch of salt for 1-2 mins. 

5. Drain and rinse the barley and mung beans, add the veggies and spices, and saute for another 1-2 mins. 

6. Add the veggie broth, increase heat to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and allow to simmer until veggies, beans, and barley are tender (about 30 mins).

7. Strain the cooked beets and then add to a blender with 1/2 cup water, a pinch of salt, and juice of 1/2 a lemon. Blend until smooth and then stir into the barley stew and simmer covered for another 5 mins. Add salt & pepper to taste. 

8. Serve topped with fresh parsley and a spritz of fresh lemon juice as desired. Enjoy! 

#onepotmeal #dinner #lunch #vata #pitta #kapha #winter #fall #spring #soup #stew

Notes

• When it's cold outside and you are hungry, sometimes all you want is a hearty warming soup like this.

• If you are sensitive to barley, feel free to omit it in this recipe, have 1 cup less broth, and have another grain on the side such as cumin rice, saffron rice, lemon rice, kanjee or any of the #grainsideoption