Barley Chowder

Ingredients

• ½ cup Barley
• 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup diced smoked ham
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced
• 1 cup diced peeled rutabaga
• 1 leek, white part only, rinsed well and chopped
• 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy or whipping cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese