Minestrone with barley and basil pesto

Name: Minestrone with barley and basil pesto
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 red onion, peeled and chopped; 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed; 4 lean bacon rashers, diced (optional); 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced; 3 small baby new potatoes, diced; 1 celery stalk, finely sliced; 1 zucchini, diced; 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped; 3 teaspoons dried basil or an Italian herb blend; ½ cup pearl barley, rinsed; 5 cups hot chicken or vegetable stock; 1 cup green peas (frozen are fine); 1 cup finely shredded cabbage; 2-3 tablespoons basil pesto (optional)