Join KindChef Carol to make a Broccoli, Barley and Cannellini Bean Soup (based on this recipe from New York Times.) After completing your soup, freeze and label it for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or anyplace that you prefer, when convenient. Finally, report on where you shared your KindSoup and spread the word: Post a picture or two of you and your soups on social media with #DoKindWorks and tag us @DoKindWorks.
Broccoli, Barley and Cannellini Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup pearl barley
- Salt
- 3 heads of broccoli (about 3 pounds)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 4 ½ tablespoons chopped garlic
- 3 cups cooked cannellini or other white beans (from 3 15-ounce cans), rinsed and drained
- 3 beef bouillon (vegetable stock or bouillon) cubes or 3 teaspoons beef stock concentrate
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Put the barley in a large saucepan with enough water to cover by 3 inches and ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a slow, steady simmer, then cover, and cook until the barley is fully tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Drain, saving the water in a large bowl for the soup.
- While the barley is cooking, detach the florets and any small leaves from the broccoli. Peel the main stems and the florets’ stems. Rinse the broccoli well.
- Fill a large soup pot with water and bring to a boil. Add 5 tablespoons salt and the thick, main broccoli stems. (The salt is to keep the broccoli green and it will not make it too salty.) Cook for 7 or 8 minutes, then add the florets. When the water returns to a boil, cook for another 10 minutes or so, then drain. Chop the broccoli rather fine and set aside.
- Put the olive oil and garlic in the soup pot, turn on the heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, just until the garlic turns a deep ivory, about 1 ½ minutes.
- Add the broccoli and cook for 2 or 3 minutes, turning it over from time to time to coat it well. Add the cannellini beans and cooked barley and stir once or twice.
- Add enough of the barley cooking water to cover by at least 2 inches, using fresh water if you need more. Put in the bouillon cube and several grindings of pepper, and stir for 15 or 20 seconds. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Taste and correct for seasoning. Serve with a trickle of olive oil in each bowl.
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “Broccoli, Barley and Cannellini Bean Soup” and any relevant food allergy info. When convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or a place that you prefer.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293).
- So What Else 4924 Wyaconda Road, Rockville, 240-705-4345. (Look for the Dogtopia. Drive straight past Doptopia to get to our parking lot. The entrance will be on the right hand side as you pull into the parking lot. After you park, walk up to the glass door at the bottom of the black ramp, ring the doorbell, let the team know you’ve arrived to drop off KindSoups): Drop-off Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturdays 7am-12pm.
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 8 am-4:30 pm.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
Here are some options for donating outside the DC area:
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
