🍲 Leek and pearl barley soup 🌾

Hey Soup Enthusiast,

I have never tried pearl barley before and it was different to how I imagined. Pearl barley is more like a bean than the couscous-like texture I had imagined. Now lets take a look at todays soup.

🍲 Today's soup: Leek and pearl barley soup

Take a look at this hearty pearl barley and leek soup. A cheap vegan / veggie soup that takes minutes to create. The main flavor came from the leak which added a savory taste making it a delicious and wholesome choice for a quick and satisfying meal.

Here is how I would cook it in the future. 

📝 Ingredients: Serves 4

• 1 Leek

• 1 Onion diced

• 1 Carrot diced

• Cauliflower florets

• 1 Orange pepper, cut small

• 1 Table-spoon butter and or olive oil

• 3 Garlic cloves

• 150g Pearl barley

• 1L of Veggie stock

• 1 tsp Sage, rosemary and thyme

• Salt & pepper

• Garnish with fresh parsley or chives

Recipe 

1. Add the vegetables to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes

2. Add the cut garlic and cook for 1 minute

3. Add the pearl barley and the veggie stock

4. Add the herbs, then season with salt and pepper

5. Simmer for about 40 minutes until the pearl barley is cooked

6. Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley or chives

Note 💡 - The pearl barley took longer than expected so make sure to give it enough time to cook and check the texture before serving.

🌾 Ingredient of the week: Pearl Barley 

Pearl barley is new to me so I have chosen it as the ingredient of the week. I challenge you use pearl barley in your cooking this week. If you make a soup, sauce or soup-based meal, with the ingredient of the week, you could have the chance of featuring in our next Community Showcase!

Fact - Pearl barley originated in the Middle East and is one of the oldest cultivated grains.

👩‍🍳 Today's community showcase 

1. Hit reply and add a picture of your soup, sauce or soup-based meal.

2. Add your insight such as a recipe or tip for the community.

3. Send us your email!

Want a shoutout? Type "Use my name [Your Name]".

🌍 Beyond the ladle: Soup news highlights

Better images for the Soup & Sauce newsletter

Last week I mentioned the lighting could make all the difference to a photo and I am happy to say this has worked but it still a little dark. As you can see bellow it is much better than previous attempts. My next goal is to brighten the picture a bit more by adjusting the lights.

General improvements

You may not see much difference yet but we need to add the ingredients before stirring the pot. If you have any suggestions, I would be delighted to hear them. 👍

Short form videos coming soon

I've recently had the idea to start filming bite-sized content that you can digest quickly and inspire you to stir the pot! 🎥

🚀 Your turn to stir the pot 

What's your go to herb in leek soup? Hit reply and let's stir the pot together! Your insights might just spark the next big flavour in our community. 

 Your soup journey awaits,
Sean
Soup & Sauce

🍜 P.S. Soup hack alert! 

Adding a crispy texture and extra flavor with homemade toppings. This works well for creamy soups like butternut squash, leak, or tomato soup. 😉