Zingerman's Ann Arbor Mushroom and Barley Soup

By Bostoncook

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dried porcini mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 ribs diced celery, with leaves
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pound porcini mushrooms, fresh
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 quarts beef broth, or water
• 1 cup barley
• 2 teaspoons salt

Preparation

Step 1

1. Soak the mushrooms in enough hot water to cover for a half hour. Strain through a filter. Reserve the water. Coarsely chop the dried mushrooms.

2. Melt the margarine in a stockpot and sauté the onion, celery, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, carrot, garlic, and fresh mushrooms until soft, about 5 minutes.

3. Lower the heat and add the flour, stirring every 30 seconds for about 5 minutes or until thick.

4. In a soup pot heat the broth or water. Add a cup of mushroom mixture at a time to the pot, stirring. Turn the heat to high, and add the reserved mushroom water and barley. Stir well and add salt to taste. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour or until the barley is tender and the soup is thickened, stirring often. Add additional chopped parsley, mix thoroughly, and adjust seasonings.

Yum! Way too salty (because of the Better than Broth, I'm sure), but delicious and very easy. Definite repeater.