Ham Barley Soup

I made this soup over the weekend for family and we ate it for lunch with grilled cheese sandwiches. The soup can be made ahead of time just don't add the green beans until right before serving or they will be overcooked.

1 meaty ham bone

1 tsp olive oil

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, diced

1 small garlic cloved, minced

1 tsp oregano

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup pearled barley

1 1/2 cup fresh green beans, trimmed, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Place ham bone in large pot and fill almost to cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in small saute pan and add carrots, onions, and garlic. Saute about 5-10 minutes until onions are transulcent.

Take hambone out of water and take meat off bone and chop into bite size pieces. Return meat to soup. Add carrots, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, oregano and barley. Bring back to a boil and simmer, uncovered, until barley is cooked, about 1 hour. Add green beans and cook 15 minutes.