Vegetable Soup

2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion diced
2-3 carrots diced
2-3 celery ribs with leaves diced
1 potato diced
1/3 cup pearl barley (optional)
1 28-oz can San Marzano tomatoes
8-10 cups beef or vegetable stock
fresh parsley
fresh thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil to a large heavy pot. Add onion carrots celery and potato. Saute until the onion and celery become translucent. Add beef stock and pearl barley. If desired tomatoes can be put in a blender and slightly blended then added to soup. Simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until vegetables and pearl barley are tender. Add fresh parsley and thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 6-8.

Options are: diced zucchini golden beets sweet potatoes butternut sqash.

You can also add macaroni or other pasta. Fresh cheese tortellini added is delicious.

Original Concept: http://www.simplysogood.com/2014/01/vegetable-barley-soup.html