Pin it A rustic and hearty soup blending wild mushrooms, tender barley, and aromatic vegetables in a single pot&mdashperfect for cozy evenings and nourishing, light meals.
This soup has become my go-to comfort dish during chilly nights, always reminding me of home and family warmth.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large yellow onion finely chopped, 2 medium carrots diced, 2 celery stalks diced, 3 garlic cloves minced
- Mushrooms: 400 g (14 oz) mixed wild mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, oyster) cleaned and sliced, 25 g (1 oz) dried porcini mushrooms rinsed
- Grains: 120 g (2/3 cup) pearl barley rinsed
- Liquids: 1.5 liters (6 cups) vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 bay leaf
- Herbs & Seasoning: 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried), 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, Salt to taste, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Place the dried porcini mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and cover with 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water. Let soak for 10 minutes. Remove mushrooms, chop them, and reserve the soaking liquid straining out any grit.
- Step 2:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 56 minutes until softened.
- Step 3:
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4:
- Add all mushrooms (fresh and rehydrated porcini), and cook for 57 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms begin to brown and release their juices.
- Step 5:
- Stir in barley, then pour in vegetable broth, reserved porcini soaking liquid, soy sauce, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Step 6:
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 3540 minutes, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and soup has slightly thickened.
- Step 7:
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and season with salt as needed.
- Step 8:
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with rustic bread if desired.
Pin it This recipe always brings the family together, making cozy conversations around the dinner table even more special.
Required Tools
Large soup pot, wooden spoon, chefs knife, cutting board, heatproof bowl, fine sieve (for straining porcini liquid)
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (barley soy sauce). Contains soy (soy sauce). Vegetarian dairy-free. For gluten-free use tamari instead of soy sauce and substitute barley with gluten-free grain. Always check product labels for cross-contamination or hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 235. Total Fat 6 g. Carbohydrates 39 g. Protein 7 g per serving.
Pin it 
This soup is perfect for meal prepping and tastes even better the next day.