Mushroom Barley Soup

Making Mushroom Barley Soup

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1. Put the porcini in a jug, pour over the boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Lift out the mushrooms, chop them finely and strain the soaking liquid through a fine sieve to leave the grit behind.

   Mark done Start 15 min timer

2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrots and celery for 8 minutes, until soft.

   Mark done Start 8 min timer

3. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 10 minutes, stirring, until the liquid they give off has evaporated and they are golden. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, thyme and chopped porcini and cook for 2 minutes.

   Mark done Start 10 min timer

4. Add the barley, stock, strained soaking liquid, bay leaves and soy sauce. Bring to the boil, then partly cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring now and then, until the barley is tender.

   Mark done Start 45 min timer

5. Remove the bay leaves, stir in the lemon juice and half the dill, and season to taste. Serve topped with the rest of the dill.

   Mark done

Tips for Making Mushroom Barley Soup

• Cook the fresh mushrooms until all the water has gone and they start to brown. This is where the flavour comes from, and pale, wet mushrooms make a bland soup.
• Keep a jug of hot water or stock nearby. The barley keeps absorbing liquid, and the soup will need loosening when it is reheated.
• Strain the porcini liquid carefully. Dried mushrooms hold sand, and a gritty spoonful spoils an otherwise good bowl.

Common Substitutions & Variations

• An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
• Fresh herbs work in place of the dried thyme at roughly three times the quantity — a teaspoon of dried is about a tablespoon of fresh, chopped.

Serving Suggestions

• Rye bread
• Dill pickles
• Green salad

Keeping and Reheating

Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days and thickens, so add water or stock when reheating. Freezes for 3 months.

Mushroom Barley Soup FAQ: Common Questions

Nutrition per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.