herb pesto barley soup

  • 4

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 cup pearled barley
  • 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups flat-leaf parsley leaves (from a large bunch)
  • 1 cup fresh dill, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup plain 2 percent Greek yogurt

Preparation

Step 1

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or large pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add onions and garlic and cook until caramelized and tender, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes, scraping up the browned bits (add a little water to the bottom of the pot if it begins to overbrown). Season with salt and pepper.
Add barley and 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer partially covered over medium until barley is tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in beans and chickpeas and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in the 2 cups whole parsley leaves. Add more water to thin soup as necessary. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, in blender, combine dill, mint, chopped parsley, vinegar, remaining 1/4 cup oil, and 2 tablespoons water. Puree to desired consistency. Serve soup topped with herb pesto and a dollop of yogurt.