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Barley & Cumin Soup

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Soup

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup barley groats washed (Vata ++ Pitta - - Kapha - -)
  • 1 Tbs. cold pressed sesame oil Vata - - Pitta ++ Kapha 0
  • 2 tsp. cumin seeds Vata - Pitta + Kapha -
  • 1 small red onion Vata - - Pitta + Kapha -
  • 1 clove garlic chopped (Vata - - Pitta ++ Kapha 0)
  • 3 stalks celery chopped (Vata - Pitta - - Kapha -)
  • 7-9 cups water 7 for a thick soup, 9 for thin
  • 1 cup green peas fresh or froze(Vata + Pitta - - Kapha -
  • 1 potato cubed (Vata + Pitta - - Kapha -)
  • 3 carrots halved and sliced (Vata - Pitta 0 Kapha - -)
  • 1/4 bunch parsley chopped (Vata 0 Pitta 0 Kapha - -)
  • 1 cup green beans cut in two (Vata + Pitta - - Kapha -)
  • 1 small slice pumpkin Vata - Pitta - Kapha -
  • 3 shitake mushrooms Vata + Pitta - - Kapha -
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin Vata - Pitta + Kapha -
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Vata - Pitta + Kapha - -
  • 1 tsp. Himalayan salt Vata - - Pitta 0 Kapha +

Instructions

  • On a medium flame, heat the oil in a large cooking pot.
  • Add the cumin seeds and roast until lightly browned.
  • Add the onion, garlic and celery and fry for 3 minutes.
  • Pour in the water and bring to boil.
  • Add the barley and the vegetables: potato, carrots, shitake and pumpkin.
  • Lower the flame, cover and cook for about an hour, until the barley is soft.
  • Add the green beans and green peas and cook for 5 more minutes.
  • Season with ground cumin, salt, pepper and chopped parsley and close the flame.

Notes

Optional additions:
For Pitta & kapha: It is possible to combine legumes in the soup. When adding the barley, add 1/2 cup mung beans (after soaking, boiling and straining or sprouted beans) to strengthen the cleansing and drying effect of the soup.