- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 white or yellow onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, with leaves, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup barley
- 1/3 cup lentils
- 2 red or white creamer potatoes, cut into chunks
- one 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Heat the olive oil in a medium to large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Season with the dried marjoram, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring so the flavors meld and the spices are evenly distributed.
- Add the barley, lentils, potatoes, and kidney beans and stir to combine. Pour in enough water to cover the soup contents by about 2 inches. Stir to combine, cover partially, and simmer for about 1 hour. Remove the soup from the heat and let sit a few minutes before serving. Top with the parsley and enjoy.