Broccoli, barley and cannellini bean soup.

Fucking delicious. Made it for the Hick's 48th birthday and doubled the barley and broccoli to make a big broth. It was damn good. Happy birthday Anto. xx

OG recipe here

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings as a main course, 6 as an appetizer

• ⅓ cup pearl barley

• Salt

• 1 head of broccoli (about 1 pound)

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

• 1½ tablespoons chopped garlic

• 1 cup cooked cannellini or other white beans (from a 15-ounce can), rinsed and drained

• 1 beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon beef stock concentrate

• Freshly ground black pepper

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Put the barley in a large saucepan with enough water to cover by 3 inches and a large pinch of salt. Bring to a slow, steady simmer, then cover, and cook until the barley is fully tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Drain, saving the water in a bowl for the soup.

2. Step 2

   While the barley is cooking, detach the florets and any small leaves from the broccoli. Peel the main stems and the florets’ stems. Rinse the broccoli well.

3. Step 3

   Fill a large soup pot with water and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons salt and the thick, main broccoli stems. (The salt is to keep the broccoli green and it will not make it too salty.) Cook for 7 or 8 minutes, then add the florets. When the water returns to a boil, cook for another 10 minutes or so, then drain. Chop the broccoli rather fine and set aside.

4. Step 4

   Put the olive oil and garlic in the soup pot, turn on the heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, just until the garlic turns a deep ivory, about 1 ½ minutes.

5. Step 5

   Add the broccoli and cook for 2 or 3 minutes, turning it over from time to time to coat it well. Add the cannellini beans and cooked barley and stir once or twice.

6. Step 6

   Add enough of the barley cooking water to cover by at least 2 inches, using fresh water if you need more. Put in the bouillon cube and several grindings of pepper, and stir for 15 or 20 seconds. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Taste and correct for seasoning. Serve with a trickle of olive oil in each bowl.