Although this doesn't have a whole lot to do with Valentine's Day, did you know that there is actually a local grain in Alaska?  This newly created recipe is perfect for a cold Alaska day and it uses locally grown barley found at Homegrown Market.   

Barley and Sweet Potato Soup 

Ingredients:

     1 cup lentils

     1 cup barley

     Water to cover

     1 can diced tomatoes (12 to 14 oz.) 

     2 large sweet potatoes cut up

     2 tomatoes

     Cumin, thyme, salt and pepper to taste

     Olive oil 

     1 small onion

     1 or 2 cloves garlic 

     2 small yellow or red peppers

This is delicious cooked slowly in a crock pot. Start the barley first because it takes a long time to cook. Then follow with the lentils and spice mixture. Add the sweet potatoes and can of tomatoes last. 

Saute onions, spices, garlic and pepper in olive oil until onions are translucent, add chopped fresh tomato and cook for a few more minutes. Add this mixture to the soup with the lentils. 

Also, check out these Valentine's Day recipes. A recipe for Almond-Rosemary Cake comes from an organic, 100% grass-fed dairy in Minnesota and from a great cooking blog a recipe for chocolate Valentine cookies. 

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!