Mushroom Barley Soup

This is one of our favorite recipes for when the weather isn't the best. It's a comfort food of sorts. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. When I don't have fresh mushrooms to use in this recipe I use the dried Gourmet Mushroom Blend from Costco. Oh, and I ALWAYS double the recipe:)


Mushroom Barley Soup


1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
6 1/2 cups water
1-2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. mushrooms, sliced
1/2 -1 tsp salt
3-4 Tbsp soy sauce
3-4 Tbsp dry sherry (opt)
Pepper to taste

1. Place barley and 1 1/2 cups of water in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Simmer till barley is tender (20-30 minutes).
2. Meanwhile melt butter or margarine in skillet. Add onions, saute 5 minutes over medium heat. Add garlic, mushrooms and salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally till tender, 10-12 minutes. Stir in soy sauce.
3. Add the saute` ingredients with all it's liquid to the cooked barley along with the remaining 5 cups of water. Add pepper to taste. Simmer partially covered another 20 minutes over low heat.
4. Eat and enjoy:)

Bon Appetit!  Kat