Barley and Mushroom Soup

Nothing warms one up better and more deliciously than a hot soup on these freezing days, therefore we’ll be featuring a few of our favorite soup recipes over the next few days.

From Elizabeth Wolf-Cohen‘s Perfect Jewish, published in 2008 by Parragon Publishing in the UK (page 13, photo on page 12):

Barley & Mushroom Soup

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 oz dried wild mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 1 small rutabaga, finely chopped
• 1 lb mushrooms, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable stock *
• 1 1/4 cup barley
• 1 tablespoon salt
• chopped fresh dill, to garnish

Directions

1. Put the dried mushrooms into a small heatproof bowl or measuring cup, and pour over enough boiling water to cover. Leave the mushrooms to soak for 20 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until softened. Add the carrots, rutabaga, and fresh mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil over high heat, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Rinse the pearl barley in a strainer under cold running water and stir into the boiling liquid. Add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until the vegetables and barley are tender adding more stock if necessary.
4. Using a slotted spoon, carefully lift the dried mushrooms out of their soaking liquid (do not pour through a strainer or the sand will go into the mushrooms) lice or chop the mushrooms and add to the soup.
5. Strain the mushroom liquid through a muslin-lined sieve into the soup. Continue to simmer or until the mushrooms are tender, adding more stock if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with dill.

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* Vegetable Stock (follow link)

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Miso, Shiitake and Swiss Chard Soup

With winter fast approaching, with a predicted hurricane – a “frankenstorm” as the media refers to it – about to hit New York this very evening, it’s time to start thinking about comfort food. What better than a nice hot, hearty soup?

From Levana’s Table, by Lévana Kirschenbaum (page 48):

Photo by: Ann Stratton, page 49

Makes 8 – 10 servings

Although the flavors are rich and complex, rthis soupis ready in about 15 minutes. Miso adds its intriguing fermented flavor and a bulky but not starchy texture to the broth. It is important to add the Swiss chard aat the very end of the cooking process., so that it retains its brilliant color. The corn adds a wonderful flavor.

2 quarts (8 cups) water
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, caps, thinly sliced
One 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1/2 cup dark or light miso paste
2 ears of corn, cobs cut into 1-inch rounds
3 – 4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon bottled hot sauce
1 pound firm or extra_firm tofu, cut into sticks
1 bunch (1 pound) Swiss chard, leaves only, cut into ribbons
4 scallions, thinly sliced

Combine the water, mushrooms ginger, miso, and corn in a heavy pot  and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, hot sauce, and tofu. Bring to a boil again. Add the Swiss chard and scallions and cook for one more minute, until the Swiss chard is wilted. Serve hot.

The elements may be raging outside, but this soup is certain to keep you warm.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS