Lisa's Vegan Chickpea "very Nice" Soup

This is my girlfriend Lisa's creation that tastes really similar to chicken soup. She makes it for me whenever I'm under the weather because it's comforting and it has miso, which is excellent for your immune system. She says this soup is "very nice."

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  large yellow onion, small dice
• 1  cup carrot, small dice
• 3⁄4 cup celery, small dice
• 3 -4  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 -2  tablespoon mirin (water is an ok substitute)
• 6  cups vegetable broth
• 1⁄3 cup pearl barley
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2  tablespoons  mellow  brown rice miso

Directions

1. In a soup pot over medium heat saute onions, carrots, and celery in oil for about 10 minutes.
2. Add garlic, dried herbs, and spices. Saute for another 5 minutes.
3. Deglaze pot with mirin.
4. Add broth, barley, and chickpeas. Cover and bring to a boil. Lower to simmer for about 45 minutes or until barley is cooked.
5. Turn off heat and ladle 1 cup into a bowl. Add miso and stir until well disolved and combined. Pour back into pot and stir.