WegryzniSnacks

When your dorm or apartment heater fails and the cold virus threatens, try a bowl of this hot and nutritious sort-of soup (more like a stew).

What you need:

3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup chopped broccoli

1 cup diced carrots

2 cups cooked bacon pieces (substitute tempeh bacon for vegetarians)

½ cup diced onions

1 cup barley, cooked

1 cup broth (your choice of flavor)

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. paprika

What you do:

Bring a pot of water to boil. Add carrots and potatoes. Boil for 10 minutes. Add broccoli and continue boiling for another ten minutes. Drain water from vegetables.

Blend vegetables and bacon in a food processor (or in a blender, if you are poor like me). Meanwhile, brown onions with a little olive oil over medium heat.

Place puree, onions, barley, spices and broth into a crockpot and set to low for three hours.