Best Springtime Barley Recipes

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SPRING CHICKEN & BARLEY SOUP



Spring Chicken & Barley Soup image

A light, barley soup. . .perfect for Spring and Summer. This is a high fiber, low fat and heart healthy soup. Recipe originally from Eating Well Magazine, but switched up a bit after making! Feel free to add some salt free all purpose seasoning or Italian Seasoning in the last 5 minutes of cooking; I used Recipe #334780 with great results. The orange peel is the secret ingredient in this recipe. . .brightens it right up!

Provided by januarybride

Categories     Clear Soup

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 cups, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 minced garlic cloves
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 large chicken breast, skin removed, trimmed (8-10 ounces)
1/3 cup pearl barley
1/3 cup shredded fresh spinach
1/3 cup sliced mushrooms
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup trimmed and diagonally sliced asparagus (1/4 inch thick)
1/2 cup thawed frozen peas
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup lightly packed torn fresh basil leaf
1 strip orange zest (1/2 by 2 inches)

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add broth, chicken and barley. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon.
  • Return the broth to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, shred the chicken or cut into bite-size pieces; discard the bone.
  • When the barley is done, add the chicken, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes with juice, asparagus, peas, salt and a grinding of pepper; return to a simmer.
  • Cover and cook over low heat until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes more.
  • Gather basil and orange zest and finely chop together.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with a generous pinch of the basil mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.5, Fat 9.5, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 23.2, Sodium 693.7, Carbohydrate 31.7, Fiber 6.6, Sugar 7.3, Protein 20

SPRING BARLEY SOUP



Spring Barley Soup image

This soup is as cozy as mushroom-barley soup and as vibrant as spring. Chewy barley, crisp asparagus and peas lay in a broth bolstered by umami-rich soy sauce and miso. Hits of fresh ginger and vinegar enliven the mix. Feel free to swap in other vegetables that catch your eye: Add leeks and hearty greens with the barley, and quicker-cooking vegetables like sliced turnips or snap peas with the asparagus. For more protein, add cubed soft or firm tofu to bowls, or stir a beaten egg into the pot as you would for hot and sour soup.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     soups and stews, appetizer, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, coconut oil or olive oil
6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup pearled barley
1 tablespoon soy sauce, plus more to taste
1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), tough ends trimmed, stalks thinly sliced 1/4-inch thick, tips left whole
1 cup fresh or frozen shelled peas, edamame or fava beans
3 tablespoons yellow or white miso
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated (about 1 tablespoon)

Steps:

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and garlic, and heat over medium. Cook, stirring, until fragrant and softened but not browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Add 6 cups of water, the barley and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the barley is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Add the asparagus and peas, and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
  • In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, stir a spoonful of the soup into the miso until dissolved. Pour into the pot, along with the rice vinegar, ginger and remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce; stir to combine. Taste for salt level and adjust with more soy sauce. (Leftovers will keep for up to 2 days; rewarm over low heat, thin with water, and add vinegar and soy sauce to taste.)

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