3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions -- chopped
4 garlic cloves -- chopped
3 carrots -- sliced
4 celery stalks -- chopped
1 red bell pepper -- chopped
8 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained & chopped
2 teaspoons drained basil -- crumbled
1 teaspoon dried oregano -- crumbled
6 (14 1/2 oz.) cans (about) beef broth
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup pearl barley
1 cup lentils
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley -- chopped (optional)
Recipe
Heat oil in heavy 4 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add next 6 ingredients. Cook until bell pepper just softens, stirring occasionally, 6 minutes. Mix in 5 cans broth, tomato paste and tomatoes. Bring mixture to boil. Stir in barley and lentils. Reduce heat, simmer until barley and lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours. Thin soup to desired consistency with remaining broth. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with parsley, if desired. 8 servings.