Poor Man's Soup

This is my hubby Bob's favourite soup. See, unlike me and my daughter, he is not always a fan of the hot and spicy food we make so often. (I guess he contents hmself with Hot and Spicy Me....rowr......)

This is a variation of a soup that is made quite frequently on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia..Basically, it used to be made to feed the family when there wasn't much to feed the family with. This is a simple soup that gets most of it's flavour from carmelizing the root vegetables in olive oil before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Get a big pot. Add:

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

~Saute for a few minutes. Then add:~

3/4 cup diced rutabaga

1 cup diced carrot

~Saute until the outside of the veggies start to brown.~

9 cups water

3/4 cup peas (fresh or frozen)

3/4 cup corn

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 Tbsp chicken style veggie boullion

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp thyme

1/4 cup barley

Let simmer for about 40 minutes, until barley is cooked and veggies are soft. Add a little more water during cooking time if soup gets too thick. Eat, revel in your cheapness, and enjoy.

PS: There are windows in my house again....:0)