- 4
Ingredients
- 6 About 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 cup (6 1/2 oz.) pearled barley
- 2 About 2 oz. sliced dried porcini mushrooms
- 3 About 3 tbsp. EVOO
- 2 small to medium zucchini - quartered, seeded and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped
- Grated or shaved Pecorino-Romano, for serving
Preparation
Step 1
In a large pot, bring about 4 cups stock plus 1 cup water to a boil. Add the barley and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 22 to 25 minutes.
While the barley is cooking, in a small saucepan, bring the mushrooms and about 2 cups stock to a simmer over medium. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm until the mushrooms are reconstituted, 15 to 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mushrooms to a work surface; chop. Reserve the mushroom soaking liquid.
In a large skillet with a lid, heat the EVOO, three turns of the pan, over medium-high. Add the zucchini, onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 6 to 7 minutes.
Add the vegetables, mushrooms and reserved soaking liquid (avoid any grit that may have settled in the pan) to the pot with the barley and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice, parsley and mint; season. If soup is too thick for your liking, add more water or stock. Serve in shallow bowls and top with the cheese.