
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 diced onion
- 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 stalk celery, sliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Vegetable or chicken broth (2-3 cups)
- 1 small can low-salt V-8 or tomato juice
- 1 can white beans
- 1/3 cup barley
- 1 cup frozen chopped broccoli rabe (or any other green - you can also use fresh)
- 2-3 links precooked sliced chicken sausage (I used Bilinski’s apple chardonnay)
- Sauté the garlic, onion, carrot and celery in a little olive oil until soft (about 5 min.)
- Transfer to a slow cooker and add broth, juice, beans, barley and greens.
- Cook on high for a couple of hours until barley is cooked.
- Turn cooker down to low setting and add sausage. Continue cooking for another couple hours until flavors blend, then turn down to warm setting until ready to serve.
- Pair with some crusty bread and a nice glass of chardonnay if you'd like. Enjoy!