Stormy weather triggers my desire for soup. I want to throw a bunch of ingredients into a dutch oven, let them simmer slowly, and lounge on the couch binge watching HGTV. Soup is not complicated but it does require patience. I start cooking mid-afternoon, browning and softening the vegetables then reducing the heat to low and layering flavors while the broth melds with the other ingredients. When cooking with a grain, occasionally check the soup to make sure the broth hasn’t reduced too much or absorbed into the grain. If so, gradually add broth ¼ cup at a time until the desired stew-like consistency. The key to this recipe is making sure the mushrooms are browned before adding the liquids and that the barley is cooked until tender. If you have extra greens, like kale or spinach, add them at the very end and cook until wilted and tender. Remember to taste as you go and adjust seasoning as needed. 

Mushroom Barley Soup
Serves 6 

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 8-ounce container cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Salt to taste
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1 cup pearl barley
4 cups chicken broth 

Directions  

1. Using a large dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add carrots and onions, then season with salt and pepper and sauté until carrots begin to soften, stirring often, about 5 minutes. 
2. Add mushrooms, garlic, basil, and oregano, then increase heat to medium-high and sauté until mushrooms soften and begin to brown, stirring often, about 7 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes with juice and stir for one minute. Add barley and 4 cups broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until barley is almost tender, about 20 minutes. Check soup and add more broth if liquid has reduced too much, ¼ cup as needed, to bring to stew-like consistency and continue to cook until barley is tender, another 10 minutes. Serve warm with crunchy bread and garnish with grated cheese, if desired. 

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