Mushroom and Barley Soup

The Washington Post, December 29, 2004

• • Cuisine: American
• • Course: Soup

Summary:

There's absolutely nothing fancy about this thick, homey, brown soup . . . except for its flavor.

Mushrooms have a natural affinity for barley; Ed Bruske prefers to use a mixture of shiitake and cremini mushrooms or rehydrated dried mushrooms. (The strained soaking liquid may be used to replace some of the beef stock.) For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock rather than beef.

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:

• • 4 tablespoons butter
• • 1 large onion, peeled and diced small
• • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced small
• • 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced small
• • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
• • 1 pound assorted mushrooms, cleaned, stems trimmed, caps sliced into bite-size pieces
• • Freshly ground black pepper
• • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• • 2 quarts (8 cups) beef stock or vegetable stock, plus additional
• • 1/2 cup pearled barley
• • 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
• • Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Directions:

In a large heavy pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, carrots, parsnip and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 10 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and continue to cook, stirring only occasionally, until all the mushrooms are tender, about 15 minutes, adding more butter if necessary. Season with pepper and thyme and stir to combine. Add the stock, the barley and the sherry, if desired; increase the heat to medium-high and bring almost to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially and simmer gently until the barley is completely cooked and tender, about 1 hour. Check the liquid level during simmering; if a thinner consistency is desired, add more stock. (May keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, for up to a couple of hours, or cover and refrigerate overnight and rewarm over low heat.)

To serve, garnish with parsley.

Recipe Source:

From Ed Bruske.

189 calories, 9g fat, 5g saturated fat, 21mg cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 23g carbohydrates, 5g dietary fiber, n/a sugar, 7g protein.