Cream of Mushroom and Barley Soup

By Reneeb

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup minced shallots, (about 4 medium
• 8 cups sliced white mushrooms, (about 20 ounce
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage, or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• lcup dry sherry
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup minced fresh chives

Preparation

Step 1

Bring barley and 1 1/2 cups broth to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, 30 to 35 minutes.



2.

Meanwhile, combine porcinis and boiling water in a medium bowl and soak until softened, about 20 minutes. Line a sieve with paper towels, set it over a bowl and pour in mushrooms and soaking liquid. Reserve the soaking liquid. Transfer the mushrooms to a cutting board and finely chop.



3.

Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add white mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the porcinis, celery, sage, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, until the flour is incorporated, about 1 minute. Add sherry and cook, stirring, until most of the sherry has evaporated, about 1 minute.



4.

Add the soaking liquid and the remaining 3 cups broth; increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the soup has thickened, 18 to 22 minutes.



5.

Add the cooked barley and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 5 minutes more. Stir in sour cream until incorporated. Garnish with chives.




Tips:

Shopping tip: Look for mushroom broth in aseptic containers in well-stocked supermarkets or natural-foods stores.



Ingredient note: Sherry is a type of fortified wine originally from southern Spain. Don't use the "cooking sherry" sold in many supermarkets--it can be surprisingly high in sodium. Instead, purchase dry sherry that's sold with other fortified wines in your wine or liquor store.