Friulian Barley And Bean Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 ounces finely chopped pancetta
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 2 (16 ounce) cans cannellini beans or 2 (16 ounce) cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed and drained
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 add the oil to a large pot; add in the pancetta.
• 2 cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the pancetta is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• 3 add in celery, carrots, onion, and garlic.
• 4 cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are golden, about 10 minutes.
• 5 add in the beans and 4 cups water; bring to a simmer.
• 6 cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
• 7 mash some of the beans with the back of a large spoon.
• 8 add in the barley, salt, and pepper to taste.
• 9 cook 30 minutes or until the barley is tender.
• 10 stir the soup frequently so that the barley does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
• 11 add water if the soup is too thick; serve hot or warm.