CABBAGE AND PARMESAN SOUP WITH BARLEY

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot. Add onion and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add shredded cabbage, garlic, and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the cabbage begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the potato, the water or stock, the Parmesan rinds, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Remove and discard the Parmesan rinds.
• Using an immersion blender, or in batches in a regular blender coarsely purée the soup. If using a regular blender fill it only halfway and pull a dishtowel over the top rather than covering tightly with the lid. Return to the pot and stir in the barley, or place a spoonful of barley in each bowl. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings, and heat through. Serve, garnishing each bowl with a sprinkling of minced dill, chives or parsley, and a spoonful of grated Parmesan.