No Beef Barley Soup
This soup, which is more like a stew, is wonderful with crusty bread. If you prefer soup to stew, only use ½ package of the Gimme Lean. Use Lightlife Gimme Lean for this recipe and not another substitute. Lightlife products are widely available in most grocery stores in the refrigerated section, usually near produce. If your grocery store does not carry Lightlife products, ask that it do so.
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1 package Gimme Lean Beef Veggie Protein (or use ½ package for less stew like)
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1 onion, finely chopped
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3 carrots, finely chopped
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3 celery stalks, finely chopped
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14 to 28 oz. of caned diced tomatoes with juice (puree before adding if desired)(if you use fewer diced tomatoes add another cup or two of water and an additional bouillon cube to the pot)
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8 cups water
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1 cup tomato soup (Imagine or other vegan brand)
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2 Not-Beef Bouillon Cubes (or equal amount of other vegan brand)
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½ cup pearled barley
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½ tsp. thyme
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2 very large handfuls of baby spinach, chopped, plus more for garnish
Heat 1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot. Add the Gimme Lean and chopped onion and cook several minutes over medium heat to brown the Gimme Lean. Add the carrots and celery and cook a few minutes longer. Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the spinach. Bring the soup to a boil. Turn the heat down then cover and simmer about 90 minutes. Add the spinach and cook a few minutes longer. Turn the heat off and let the soup sit 10 minutes before serving.