Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
500g (20) store-bought Italian-style beef and lamb meatballs
1 brown onion, finely chopped
2 sticks celery, diced
2 carrots, halved lengthways, thinly sliced
400g can diced Italian tomatoes
6 cups chicken stock
1 cup pearl barley
400g can butter beans, drained, rinsed
½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped, to serve
Toasted foccacia, to serve
Method
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Heat oil in a large deep saucepan over a medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, shaking pan often, so meatballs brown evenly, for 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
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Add onion, celery and carrot, to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until tender. Add tomato, stock and barley. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.
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Return meatballs to pan. Cook for 10 minutes or until meatballs are heated through and barley is tender. Stir in butter beans and cook for 2 minutes or until heated through. Ladle soup into serving bowls and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with toasted focaccia on the side.