The Munchkins’ Barley Soup

Every Monday afternoon, Savta Martha heads down to the Annex to hang out with “the munchkins”: Levi and Zoe Shem-Tov. And every Monday she makes the soup below, which she asks me to let readers know is “low-glycemic index” and “good for you.” Levi who is a charming little five year old, who can be heard in the background summoning my mom: “Savta, come feed me.” Yep. Come feed me too! This soup is quick and easy to make (like most Martha dishes) and is healthy and delish – especially when you need a soup to warm you up. Savta, you will have to explain to Levi’s wife one day, why his expectations are so high! :>)

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1/2 cup of brown lentils
• 1/2 cup of split green peas
• 4 celery stalks, chopped [“Chopped, or diced,” Martha says, “I don’t know how you call it,”
• 4 carrots, peeled & chopped
• tie together a bit of parsley and dill, NOT chopped
• 3 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless
• 1 tbsp of salt; 1 flat tsp of pepper
• 8-10 cups of water

Directions

1. Rinse barley, lentils & split peas and put in pot;
2. Add chopped celery & carrots
3. Add chicken thighs
4. Add parsley, dill, salt and pepper
5. Bring to boil; once it boils cook on medium for 30-40 minutes
6. Remove dill and parsley – throw out
7. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and seve
8. VARIATION: add one tin (24 oz) of diced tomatoes

Like…Sari’s Guacamole

Liat (left) and Sari (right)

Sari, who just turned 16, has a sophisticated palate – and often has very sophisticated reviews of food, both of family and of restaurants (quote: “I mean, they don’t know how to slice an onion!”) Below is a go-to recipe of hers for a quick and healthy snack – she was watching TV while I managed to wrestle this one out of her. If you like it, some freshly chopped cilantro (which Sari does not add) is a nice addition. Thanks Sar.

Ingredients

• 2 avocados, ripe (Sari says, “like a little overripe, you know…mushy”)
• “and then like, thinly sliced purple onions, like..diced”; a handful worth
• Diced medium-sized tomato; “take out the seeds”
• Crushed garlic ; When asked how many, Sari responds, “Like depends how garlicky you like it.” She uses 1 and a half
• a bit of pepper and salt
• freshly squeezed lemon, “just like, half a lemon”
• And…that’s basically it.

Directions

1. Cut up the avocado and mush it with a fork
2. And then, mix in all the salt, pepper, garlic & lemon
3. Add tomato and onion last
4. Eat it with tortilla chips