barley, lentil, and sun-dried tomato soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup red peppers,chopped
• 1/2 cup onions,chopped
• 1 cup celery,chopped
• 1/4 cup carrots, chopped
• 1 clove garlic,minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (28 ounce) crushed tomatoes, with juice
• 1 cup pearl barley, uncooked
• 1 cup dry lentils,rinsed & drained
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons basil, dried
• 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried
• 1 - bay leaf
• 8 - sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil) drained and chopped
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)