Barley, Red Bean, and Spinach Soup

Ingredients

• Broth

  • 4 ham hocks, rind removed
  • 4 slices bacon, cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
  • 10 cups (2.5 litres) water
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 stalks celery, cut into chunks
  • 1 onion, peeled and quartered
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black peppercorns

• Soup

  • 1 leek, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
  • 2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch (1/2-cm) thick slices
  • 1 can 19 oz (540 ml) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) pearl barley, rinsed and drained
  • 6 cups (1.5 litres) baby spinach
  • Salt and pepper