REC - Veggie Beans with Barley - RFC Cookbook page 24

rec.food.cooking - cookbook - page 24
Soups, Salads & Vegetables

Veggie Beans with Barley

I have adapted this recipe over the past 5 years. I do not know if it
is truly
vegetarian and I'm sure it's probably not vegan. My vegetarian friends
love it. I usually serve this dish over pasta but its a bit tricky.
This tends
to be a thick dish so a delicate pasta such as angel hair is not
appropriate. Spaghetti is too thick and interferes with the taste.
I've found
a thin spaghetti type of pasta works best. This dish is also terrific
scooped into big bowls with a bit of grated onion. Season to taste but
the
recipe has seasoning guidelines. Serve with salad of field greens and
a
light vinaigrette dressing along with a fresh loaf of crusty bread.
Spicewise, this dish may be bland for some tastes. Keep tasting. I've
added more and less of some spices. At times I've added cayenne
pepper. Use your own judgement.

4 quarts (3.8 l) water
1/2 pound (250 g) dried kidney beans[*]
1/2 pound (250 g) dried Great Northern beans
1 cup (240 ml) extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, large dice
1/4 cup (about 10 g) chopped parsley
2 small onions, large dice
1/4 pound (125 g) barley
6 carrots, chopped
1/2 bunch chopped celery (trim tops, but leave some of leaves)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
28 ounces (800 g) whole tomatoes, crushed with hands
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
5 ounces (150 g) fresh spinach, cleaned and trimmed
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
[*] Canned kidney beans can be substituted and ou can skip the 50
minutes cooking, below.

Bring water to the boil in a large covered pot. Stir in kidney beans
and
cook uncovered over medium heat for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the Great Northern beans, olive oil, garlic, parsley, onions and
barley. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Add carrots, celery,
basil,
oregano, bay leaf, and tomatoes and cook over medium heat, stirring
frequently for at least an hour or until beans are mushy. Add
potatoes,
spinach, salt and pepper. Continue to cook and stir 30 minutes.

Source: Michael Lonergan (DOG 3) - Missouri, USA