Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3 leeks
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (or andouille sausage)
  • 1 quart water
  • 3 stock cubes, beef
  • 1 cup barley
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (optional)
  • salt

Method

  • Chop the onion and saute in the vegetable oil until tender (about 2-3 min).
  • Meanwhile wash well and cut the leeks into small rounds. Discard the very rough tips of the green part.
  • Thinly chop the garlic.
  • Add the leeks and garlic to the onions and cook for 10 more min or until soft.
  • In a separate pan brown the Italian sausage breaking it into small pieces.
  • Add the sausage to the leek mixture and cook for 2 more min, stirring to combine the flavors.
  • Add 1 quart of water to the pot and when it starts boiling add the stock cubes.
  • Add the barley and cook according to the package instructions. Usually takes 45 minutes.
  • At the end of the cooking you can sprinkle 1-2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese. Season with salt if necessary.
  • The soup thickens on its own because of the starch in the barley. But If you like your soups thicker you can use 1tbsp of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp of COLD water and add it at the end of the cooking. Slowly stir for 2 minutes.