Recipe - Cock-a-leekie soup

With the leek season drawing to an end, try this sustaining soup.

Ingredients

100g/3�oz pearl barley

1.2l/2pts chicken stock

1 tsp dried thyme

5 juniper berries, crushed

3 large leeks, trimmed and sliced

350g/12oz cooked chicken

Black pepper

115g/4oz ready-to-eat dried prunes (optional)

Method

Cut the chicken and prunes into bite-sized pieces. Put the barley, stock, thyme and juniper berries in a large saucepan, bring to the boil, stir and simmer (covered) for about 25 minutes, until the barley is tender. Add the leeks, prunes and chicken. Re-cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Season and serve.