Spring Barley Soup Recipes

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and garlic, and heat over medium. Cook, stirring, until fragrant and softened but not browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Add 6 cups of water, the barley and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the barley is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the asparagus and peas, and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, stir a spoonful of the soup into the miso until dissolved. Pour into the pot, along with the rice vinegar, ginger and remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce; stir to combine. Taste for salt level and adjust with more soy sauce. (Leftovers will keep for up to 2 days; rewarm over low heat, thin with water, and add vinegar and soy sauce to taste.)

Steps:

• Quarter the onions lengthwise (stem to root end), then slice thinly across the grain.
• In a large, heavy soup pot heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring often, until they have softened and begun to darken a little; do not let them brown. Add a pinch of salt, the stock and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, add the barley, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Taste and adjust salt. Add freshly ground pepper.
• Remove the bouquet garni and discard. Add the fava beans and continue to simmer for 5 to 8 minutes more. Stir in the herbs. Serve, topping each bowl with the cheese croutons.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add broth, chicken and barley. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• Return the broth to a simmer and cook until the barley is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, shred the chicken or cut into bite-size pieces; discard the bone.
• When the barley is done, add the chicken, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes with juice, asparagus, peas, salt and a grinding of pepper; return to a simmer.
• Cover and cook over low heat until the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes more.
• Gather basil and orange zest and finely chop together.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with a generous pinch of the basil mixture.