barley soup

Homemade Barley Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 cup (200g) pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 cup (150g) diced potatoes (optional)
• 8 cups (2 liters) vegetable or beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz/400g) diced tomatoes, with juice (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 cup (150g) chopped mushrooms (optional)
• 1 cup (150g) cooked, shredded beef or chicken (optional)
• 2 cups (300g) chopped spinach or kale (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add Barley and Broth:
   • Stir in the rinsed barley and diced potatoes (if using).
   • Pour in the vegetable or beef broth, diced tomatoes (if using), and add the bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer the Soup:
   • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the barley is tender and the soup has thickened.
4. Add Mushrooms and Meat (Optional):
   • If using mushrooms, add them about 20 minutes before the end of cooking time.
   • If using cooked, shredded beef or chicken, stir it in about 10 minutes before the end of cooking to heat through.
5. Add Greens (Optional):
   • If using spinach or kale, stir it into the soup a few minutes before serving, just until wilted.
6. Adjust Seasoning and Serve:
   • Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
   • Remove the bay leaves and discard them.
   • Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Tips:

• Cooking Time for Barley: Pearl barley typically takes about 45 minutes to cook. If you use quick-cooking barley, reduce the cooking time accordingly.
• Broth Variations: Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, or beef/chicken broth for a richer flavor.
• Thicker Soup: For a thicker soup, add more vegetables and less broth or simmer longer. For a thinner soup, add more broth or water.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve with crusty bread or rolls on the side.
• A simple green salad complements this hearty soup well.

Cooking Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving, about 6 servings):

• Calories: ~200 kcal (without meat)
• Protein: ~5g
• Fat: ~5g
• Carbohydrates: ~35g
• Fiber: ~8g
• Sugar: ~6g

This Barley Soup is a versatile and wholesome dish that’s perfect for a warming meal. You can adjust the ingredients based on what you have on hand or to your own taste preferences. Enjoy this cozy and satisfying soup!