Barley, Red Bean, and Spinach Soup

Name: Barley, Red Bean, and Spinach Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 10 serving(s)
Ingredients: 4 ham hocks, rind removed; 4 slices bacon, cut in half; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter; 10 cups (2.5 litres) water; 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks; 2 stalks celery, cut into chunks; 1 onion, peeled and quartered; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black peppercorns; 1 leek, thinly sliced; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter; 2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch (1/2-cm) thick slices; 1 can 19 oz (540 ml) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1/2 cup (125 ml) pearl barley, rinsed and drained; 6 cups (1.5 litres) baby spinach; Salt and pepper

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Preparation 20 MIN

Cooking 2 H 45 MIN
Servings 10
Freezes

Ingredients
Preparation

Ingredients

Broth

4 ham hocks, rind removed
4 slices bacon, cut in half
1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
10 cups (2.5 litres) water
2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 stalks celery, cut into chunks
1 onion, peeled and quartered
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon (5 ml) black peppercorns

Soup

1 leek, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch (1/2-cm) thick slices
1 can 19 oz (540 ml) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (125 ml) pearl barley, rinsed and drained
6 cups (1.5 litres) baby spinach
Salt and pepper

Preparation

Broth

In a large pot, brown the ham hocks and bacon in the butter. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer gently for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until meat is tender.
Remove the ham hocks and let cool on a plate. Remove and shred the meat from the hocks. Set aside. Strain the broth through a sieve. Discard the vegetables and bacon. You will need 2 litres (8 cups). Set aside.

Soup

In the same pot, soften the leek and garlic in the butter. Add the reserved broth, the carrots, beans, and barley. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer gently for about 1 hour or until the barley is tender. Add the spinach and reserved meat. Add chicken broth or water, if needed. Adjust the seasoning.