Schi (Russian Cabbage Soup)

Ingredients

• 1 head cabbage, cut into small wedges
• 1 (24 ounce) jar sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
• 6 slices bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 can chopped tomato (DO NOT drain) or 2-3 chopped fresh tomatoes (DO NOT drain)
• 1 cup uncooked barley

Directions

1. 1

   In a medium-to-large stewpot or crockpot, layer the above ingredients in the following order: Bacon, 1/4 of the cabbage, 1/4 of the sauerkraut, 1/4 of the tomatoes, 1/4 of the barley.

2. 2

   Layer the remaining cabbage, sauerkraut, tomatoes and barley in the same amounts and order.

3. 3

   If there appears to be insufficient tomato juice, add about 1 cup water.

4. 4

   Salt and pepper if desired.

5. 5

   Cover, cook on high for about 20 minutes, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for an additional 3-5 hours, checking occasionally to make sure your heat is low enough that the soup does not burn.