Country-style Grain Soup

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and gently cook the onion until soft but not brown. Add the leek, carrot and red pepper and continue cooking for 2 minutes.

Stir in the pearl barley and cook until coated with the oil then add the gammon and stock. Bring to the boil, and then gently simmer for 45 minutes or until the pearl barley is tender. You may need to add a little water during cooking.