Stellar Legume Soup

Makes 8 servings

ingredients

1 1/4 cups mixed dried beans (black, navy, kidney)
1/4 cup lentils
1/4 cup split peas
1/4 cup barley
water
2 cooking onions, chopped
5 celery stalks, chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
10 cups chicken broth
28 oz. can plum tomatoes, with juice
1/4 tsp. crumbled thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 sweet red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 roasted garlic cloves
1/2 cup chopped parsley

directions

Soak beans, lentils, split peas, and barley in large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, uncovered. Remove from heat and cover. Let soak for one hour. Drain, rinse beans and drain again. Set aside In large sauce pan saute onions, celery, and carrots. Add broth, tomatoes with juice, the beans mixture, thyme, bay leaf and pepper. Let boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally until beans and vegetables are tender, approximately 2 hours. Add chopped bell pepper and roasted garlic. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Add chopped parsley then serve.

Source: Michelle