Spicy chicken barley soup

1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and salt and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add in all the spices and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and saute for another minute. Lastly add in the garlic and continue to saute for another minute.

2. Dial up the heat to high then add the broth along with 2 cups of water. Stir in the barley. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Add the sweet potato, bring back to a boil, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. If the soup is getting too thick you can add some additional water (this is a soup, not a stew).

4. Add in the chicken, partially cover the pot, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cilantro and continue to simmer until the spinach is wilted, roughly 5 minutes. Lastly, stir in the lemon juice and more salt if desired.

5. Garnish with lemon wedges and more chopped cilantro.