Heat your oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 5, and line a roasting tin with baking paper. Halve the cherry tomatoes and scatter them, cut-side up, into the lined roasting tin. Sprinkle over a pinch of salt and pepper. Slide the tomatoes into the oven and roast for 20 mins, then set aside.

While the tomatoes roast, trim the roots and top 3cm off the tops of the leeks. Slice a cross in the tops and open them out so you can rinse out any grit. Finely slice the leeks. Peel the onions and finely chop them. Peel the garlic cloves and crush or finely chop them. Pick the thyme leaves off their sprigs.

Pour 1 tsp oil into a large pan and warm to a medium temperature. Slide in the chopped leeks, onions, garlic and thyme. Sprinkle in a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook gently for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, till softened. If the veg start to stick, add 2-3 tbsp water.

Meanwhile, fill your kettle and boil it. Crumble the vegetable stock cube into a heatproof jug. Stir in 600ml boiling water to dissolve the stock cube.

Tip the pearl barley into the pan and stir well. Cover the barley and veg with the hot stock. Return to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. This is your orzotto.

While the orzotto cooks, strip the kale leaves away from their woody cores. Chop the kale leaves into small pieces.

In 20 mins, the barley should absorb most of the stock and be tender, with a slight bite. Stir through the kale and cook for a further 2–3 mins, till tender.

Stir the roasted tomatoes through the orzotto. Pour in 3 tbsp soya cream. Grate in the lemon zest. Stir well and warm the cream through for 1 min. Taste. Add more salt and pepper if needed.

Ladle the orzotto into bowls. Serve with wedges of lemon on the side.