Description
A hearty and nutritious ham vegetable barley soup made in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 Leftover Meaty Ham Bone and Meat (leave meat in large pieces), large
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 2 Bay Leaves, whole
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth, 1.9 liters
- 2 large Carrots, chopped
- 2 ribs Celery, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced Tomatoes, with juice, 411 grams
- 3/4 cup Pearl Barley, rinsed, 145 grams
- 2 medium Russet Potatoes, cut in 1.5 inch pieces
- 1/2 lb Fresh Green Beans, cut in 2 inch pieces
- 11/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 11/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/21/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Layer Ingredients in Cooker: Start by adding your diced ham, onions, carrots, celery, and hearty barley into the slow cooker. The colors should pop, creating a vibrant mix. Be careful not to overfill the cooker.
- Add Broth & Seasoning: Pour in your low sodium chicken broth and sprinkle in the bay leaves, garlic, oregano, basil, and pepper. The aroma will start to fill your kitchen. Remember, the ham adds saltiness, so do not overdo it on additional salt.
- Set Time to Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it for 4-8 hours, depending on your schedule. Check the vegetables and barley at the 4-hour mark; they should be tender.
- Check Consistency Before Serving: When it is time to serve, give the soup a stir. If the soup seems too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
- Serve & Enjoy: Dish up a warm bowl of your hearty soup, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Expert Tips: Use a 7 or 8 quart slow cooker for best results. If using a smaller slow cooker, reduce the amount of veggies used by about 25%. For optimal flavor, place heartier vegetables like carrots and potatoes in first. If the soup gets too thick after cooking, adding a cup of low-sodium broth or water can help adjust the consistency. If the ham adds too much salt, add about a cup of low-sodium broth or water to reduce the saltiness. When using delicate vegetables, add them in the last hour of cooking to prevent mushiness.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat on low in the slow cooker or in a saucepan over medium heat until warm throughout, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with crusty bread and butter. Top with fresh herbs for added flavor. Pair with a light salad for balance.
- Recipe Variations: Add mushrooms for extra flavor. Include different greens like spinach or kale. Swap barley for quinoa or rice.
- Ingredient Notes: Use ham hocks or smoked turkey legs as a substitute for the leftover meaty ham bone if desired. You can replace diced tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, increasing the cooking time slightly. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ham bone with vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 161
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 23mg