Barley soup

I always have an urge to make soups. You can make a lot so it lasts a few days, and even freeze them. They are wholesome and filling and nice for a quick lunch or snack, or to have before dinner so you dont eat so many carbs (blush).

The only problem is, Im too lazy and I dont know how to make many soups.

Well, I am currently on "OPERATION CLEAR OUT THE CUPBOARDS/FREEZER". So, I found some barley in there. I like barley but dont really know what to do with it. Then, it came to me.... Soup!

Put some olive oil and butter in a large pot. Add chopped onion, garlic, and green chili. When half cooked, add chopped carrots. Fry till onions are translucent. Add chopped potatoes, dried basil, thyme, curry leaves, coriander leaves and several cups of water. I added one teaspoon of good quality, organic chicken broth base to add flavour, but im sure veg broth would work as well. Boiled for some time then added green beans and boiled until nearly cooked(green peas would be great in this too). Then I added barley which I had boiled separately and a tablespoon or so of canned crushed tomato, which really brought up the taste of the broth. Add salt and black pepper to taste, Boil another 5 mins.

Will add pics later...

Black beans and vendakai (okra)

I decided to combine two of my favourite foods and cook up a big batch that would last a couple days and be a complete meal that includes protein- from the beans.

Popped some cumin seeds to hot oil and added a couple chopped onions, green chili, garlic, and ginger. When translucent add the cut okra and fry till the stickiness is gone. Add the usual masalas- sambhar podi, dhania-jeera. Then add the beans(cooked) and canned crushed tomatoes. Cover and simmer until well cooked. Top with coriander leaves.