Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup
Warm up with this delightful Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup, a nutritious blend of earthy mushrooms and wholesome barley. This comforting soup is packed with vegetables and rich flavors, making it a perfect dish for chilly days or a cozy dinner with family. Easily shareable, this recipe serves six, allowing you to enjoy it fresh or save some for later. Loaded with fiber and protein, it's not only delicious but also a wholesome choice for your diet.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Mushrooms
1 - 1 1/2 lb (white button, baby portobella, or a mixture, stems removed, caps sliced, and stems chopped)
Unsalted butter
1/4 cup (melted)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Leek
1 (white and pale green parts only, chopped)
Chicken broth
8 cups (low sodium is preferable)
White potato
1 medium (peeled and diced small)
Celery
1/2 cup (chopped (include the top leaves))
Garlic
1 teaspoon (minced)
Carrot
1 large (peeled and thinly sliced)
Pearl barley
1/2 cup (rinsed before use)
Bay leaves
2 (whole)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by removing the stems from the mushrooms. Slice the caps and set them aside. Chop the stems finely.
2
In a heavy large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat, avoiding browning the butter.
3
Add the chopped onion, leek, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté the mixture until it becomes tender, about 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
4
Incorporate the chopped mushroom stems and sauté for an additional 2 minutes until they soften.
5
Pour in the chicken broth and add the rinsed pearl barley, diced potato, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
6
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 35 minutes, or until the barley and vegetables are tender.
7
After cooking, season the soup to taste with salt and pepper.
8
Remove the bay leaves from the soup and discard them before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup?
The main ingredients include mushrooms, pearl barley, chicken broth, onion, leek, carrots, celery, garlic, and a white potato.
How many people does this mushroom barley soup recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve six people.
What types of mushrooms should I use?
You can use white button mushrooms, baby portobellas, or a mixture of different varieties.
How should I prepare the mushrooms?
Remove the stems and chop them finely, while slicing the mushroom caps to be set aside for later.
Is this soup suitable for a vegetarian diet?
The recipe uses chicken broth, but you can easily make it vegetarian by substituting with vegetable broth.
How do I prepare the leeks for the soup?
Use only the white and pale green parts of the leek and chop them before adding to the pot.
Do I need to rinse the barley before cooking?
Yes, the recipe specifies that the 1/2 cup of pearl barley should be rinsed before use.
How long does it take to sauté the aromatics?
The onion, leek, carrots, celery, and garlic should be sautéed for about 8 minutes until tender.
What type of potato is best for this recipe?
A medium white potato, peeled and diced small, is recommended for this soup.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, but if you use salted, simply adjust your final seasoning of salt accordingly.
How long should the soup simmer?
The soup should simmer covered for approximately 35 minutes once it has reached a boil.
Why are the mushroom stems sautéed separately?
The stems are finely chopped and sautéed for 2 minutes after the other vegetables to soften them and build a deeper flavor base.
What should I do with the bay leaves?
Add two whole bay leaves during the simmering process and remove and discard them before serving.
Is this soup considered healthy?
Yes, it is a nutritious choice packed with vegetables, fiber, and protein.
How do I know when the barley is finished cooking?
The barley and vegetables should be tender to the touch and bite after the 35-minute simmer.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is melting the butter in a heavy soup pot over medium heat, taking care not to brown it.
Can I add the celery leaves to the soup?
Yes, the recipe suggests including the top leaves of the celery when you chop it.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 8 cups of chicken broth, preferably low sodium.
What is the texture of this soup?
It is a hearty and thick soup due to the pearl barley and diced potatoes.
When should I add the salt and pepper?
Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper after the simmering process is complete.
Can I use oil instead of butter?
Yes, you can substitute the 1/4 cup of butter with olive oil if you prefer a dairy-free base.
How many grams of fiber does this soup have?
While specific nutritional data isn't listed, the recipe mentions it is a high-fiber dish thanks to the barley and vegetables.
Should I peel the carrots?
Yes, one large carrot should be peeled and then thinly sliced.
Can I make this soup in advance?
Yes, this soup stores well and the flavors often deepen after being refrigerated overnight.
What if the soup becomes too thick after storing?
Barley continues to absorb liquid over time, so you may need to add a little extra broth or water when reheating.
What heat setting should I use for simmering?
After bringing the soup to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low for the 35-minute simmer.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
Is this recipe suitable for chilly days?
Yes, the description highlights it as a perfect comforting dish for chilly days or cozy family dinners.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 13 ingredients listed including the seasonings.
What makes the soup hearty?
The combination of protein-rich mushrooms and fiber-dense pearl barley provides the soup's hearty texture.