Celery Barley Soup

Photo: flickr user EraPhernalia Vintage (catching up)

Ingredients

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup chopped onion

5 cups thin sliced celery

1/2 cup chopped celery leaves, packed

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

Pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

cup pearl barley

Salt to taste

Preparation

In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add onion, 3 cups sliced celery, celery leaves, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf. In an electric blender, puree the soup in two batches. Return the puree to the saucepan; bring to a boil. Add barley; simmer, covered, until barley is almost tender, about 25 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups sliced celery. Simmer, covered, until celery and barley are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in