1 (10 oz.) pkg frozen spinach (or 2-3 cups fresh chopped)
1 cup barley
2 cups ham cut into chunks (or turkey or chicken or small meatballs)
2-3 cups chopped celery (about 1/2 bunch)
2 cups chopped onion
3 large cloves chopped garlic
1 quart water (4 cups)
1 quart chicken or turkey or beef or vegetable stock (4 cups)
1 cup chopped carrots (optional)

Combine ingredients in 2 gallon stock pot. Cover and heat over medium heat for one hour or until barley "blossoms", that is until it grows and starts to split -- where you can see the brown line.

Note: When I chop the celery, I include the leaves.

Makes about 14 (8 oz.) servings.

Submitted by: readytosurf