Serve with whole wheat crackers, chewy/crunchy bread, or top it off with croutons.

Here is a very easy, delicious, and nutrient rich soup!  It is perfect to serve up on a cool fall day, like today.

Broccoli health benefits: vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, fiber, vitamin A, antioxidants, and more!  (note: broccoli is also known to have cancer fighting properties)

Leeks health benefits: fiber, folic acid, Vitamin B6, manganese, and iron.

Ingredients:

• 4 leeks
• 1 small yellow squash (optional…I just threw this in for added benefit )
• 1 16oz bag of frozen broccoli  (you can also use fresh…it just wasn’t available at the health food store the other day)
• 1/2 of an onion
• 6 cups of vegetable broth
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1.5 cups of cooked barley pearls (around 1/2 cup of uncooked barley pearls)…if you don’t have barley, you can also use cooked quinoa.
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Cook barley (boil for 40 minutes).
2. Cut leeks and wash in a large bowl to remove dirt.
3. Put your broth, leeks, broccoli, onion and garlic in a large pot.
4. Let it simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Set aside and let it cool for a few minutes.
6. In your VITAMIX, pour in your soup.
7. Add cooked barley.
8. Blend together.

Vitamix Turboblend 4500 Countertop Blender with 2+ HP Motor

Serve and enjoy!

Check out my other broccoli recipe:

• Raw Vegan Broccoli Salad