BARLEY AND SPRING ONION SOUP WITH FAVA BEANS

Barley and Spring Onion Soup With Fava Beans image

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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1 pound spring onions
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 quarts vegetable stock or chicken stock
A bouquet garni made with a bay leaf, a few dried mushrooms or mushroom stems, a Parmesan rind and a couple of sprigs each thyme and parsley, all tied into a cheesecloth bag
1/2 cup barley
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound fava beans, shelled and skinned
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, like parsley, tarragon, fresh thyme
Rounds of baguette or slices of country bread, topped with Gruyère or Parmesan, then toasted until the cheese melts

Steps:

Quarter the onions lengthwise (stem to root end), then slice thinly across the grain.
In a large, heavy soup pot heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring often, until they have softened and begun to darken a little; do not let them brown. Add a pinch of salt, the stock and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, add the barley, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Taste and adjust salt. Add freshly ground pepper.
Remove the bouquet garni and discard. Add the fava beans and continue to simmer for 5 to 8 minutes more. Stir in the herbs. Serve, topping each bowl with the cheese croutons.