Hearty soup with red and brown lentils, mushrooms, barley, and collard greens for a protein-rich meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Legumes & Grains
01 - 1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed
02 - 1/2 cup brown lentils, rinsed
03 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed
→ Vegetables
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 medium carrots, diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 10 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
10 - 4 cups chopped collard greens
→ Liquids
11 - 8 cups vegetable broth
12 - 1 cup water
→ Herbs & Seasonings
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 2 bay leaves
16 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Method:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant and vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
04 - Stir in red lentils, brown lentils, pearl barley, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and bay leaves until evenly distributed.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth and water. Bring to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
06 - Cover pot with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
07 - Add chopped collard greens, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until barley and lentils reach tender consistency.
08 - Taste soup and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
