LENTIL, BARLEY, SAUSAGE SOUP

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup regular barley
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped carrots
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
1/2 cup lentils, rinsed and drained
1 bay leaf
1 can (14 1/2-oz) no-salt-added fire roasted diced tomatoes, do not drain
6-oz cooked chicken-apple sausage links, cut in half lengthwise then sliced
4 cups fresh baby spinach

1. In a 3- to 4-quart saucepan heat oil over medium heat. Add barley; cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until barley is golden. Add onion, carrots, and garlic; cook about 10 minutes or just until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in cumin; cook and stir for 30 seconds more.
2. Add broth, the water, lentils, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 55 minutes or until barley and lentils are tender. Stir in tomatoes and sausage; heat through. Remove and discard bay leaf.
3. Add spinach, stirring until spinach begins to wilt. Ladle soup into serving bowls. Serve immediately.

Note: I got this recipe from a low-fat diabetic-friendly recipe booklet after my diabetes diagnosis. I would never eat it because of the chicken broth and the chicken sausage. I will make mine a little differently but for those of you who eat chicken, this is a healthy recipe.