Over dinner last evening, Bhooma Krishnan, a friend of mine, shared this easy and healthy recipe with me.  Try it and give your feedback.

MUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP

Ingredients -

• Barley (soaked for an hour) - 1/3 cup
• Button mushrooms (cut into halves) - 100 g
• Vegetable stock OR Plain water - 4 1/2 cups
• Garlic (chopped fine) - 4 pods
• Carrot (diced small) - 1
• Green beans (chopped fine) - 10
• Shallots (chopped fine) - 3
• Spring onions (chopped fine) - 5
• Bayleaf - 1
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Salt to taste
• Pepper powder to taste

Method of preparation - Boil the barley in required quantity of water or pressure cook it.  Put the oil in a heated wok and saute garlic.  Add shallots and spring onions and saute till they turn pink. Add diced mushrooms and saute till done.  Add the remaining vegetables and saute for a little bit.  Add the vegetable stock and cook for about 7 minutes. Add cooked barley to this mixture and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add salt and pepper.

Your delicious steaming soup is ready.  It can be a light meal by itself! Enjoy!!