MUSHROOM-BARLEY SOUP

Mushroom-Barley Soup image

Provided by Jason Epstein

Categories dinner, lunch, soups and stews, appetizer

Time 2h10m

Yield 12 to 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms
8 ounces butter or margarine
1 very large onion or 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped (about 1 pound)
6 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds fresh mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
4 stalks of celery with leaves,diced
3 big carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons flour
2 quarts beef broth
2 1/2 cups barley, rinsed
2 tablespoons kosher salt or more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

Soak the dried mushrooms in 1 quart hot water for 1 hour. Strain through a filter or cheesecloth. Reserve the water. Coarsely chop the dried mushrooms and set aside.
Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat and sauté onions and garlic until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the fresh mushrooms, celery, carrots and 4 tablespoons parsley. Cook until the carrots are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and stir until blended. Stir in the mushroom soaking liquid until blended, then stir in the beef broth and 6 cups water. Stir in the barley, soaked mushrooms, 2 tablespoons salt and pepper to taste.
Heat the soup to boiling, stirring frequently, then lower the heat, cover the pot and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the barley is tender.
Add the remaining parsley, mix thoroughly and add more water if the soup is too thick. Adjust seasonings if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 319, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 41 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 786 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 1 gram