Lori's Bean and Barley Stew

This is good and healthy. Also a little different...

• Ready In: 9 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  cup dried white bean
• 1  cup pearl barley (rinsed)
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  tablespoon  mustard oil
• 1  onion (minced)
• 1  large garlic clove (minced)
• 1⁄2 cup carrot (peeled, chopped)
• 1⁄2 cup celery (chopped)
• 1  jalapeno (seeded, minced)
• 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 5  cups  chicken stock (preferably homemeade)
• 1  bay leaf
•  salt & fresh ground pepper (to taste)
• 1⁄2 cup  frozen peas (thawed)
• 1  tablespoon basil (minced)
• 1  tablespoon parsley (minced)

Directions

1. Soak beans 8 hours. Drain. Rinse. Place in a pot. Cover with water generously. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce. Simmer 20 minutes.
3. Add barley. Return to a boil. Simmer 40 more minutes. Drain.
4. Heat butter and oil in a pot. Add onion and garlic. Saute 3 minutes.
5. Add carrots, celery and jalapeno. Saute 4 minutes.
6. Add the tomatoes, stock and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce. Simmer 10 minutes.
7. Add beans, barley, salt and pepper and the peas. Simmer 5 minutes. Stir in herbs. Serve.