Mushroom, Lentil and Barley Soup

Mushroom, Lentil and Barley Soup

Winter is the time for warming and nourishing soups to make a comeback in the kitchen, the kind of soups that make you feel like you're being coddled and looked after — even if you had to make the soup yourself! But I like to cook and enjoy the fruits of my labor. A steaming bowl of this easy-to-make soup is just the kind that makes us feel safe and comforted on a cold day, loaded with hearty vegetables, earthy green lentils, sweet pearl barley, and plenty of home-cooked goodness in a warm and inviting mushroom broth. A meal in a bowl, especially when served with a vegetable dish.

If you are concerned about your weight, which surely effects your overall well-being and health, you should consider incorporating more vegetarian dishes into your diet, especially whole grains and legumes and of course fruits and vegetables. It is a well known fact that excess weight increases the chances of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and back problems, to name just a few of the hazards of excess weight. Exercise and a healthy diet are of upmost importance.

Mushroom, Lentil and Barley SoupMushroom, Lentil and Barley Soup
Recipe by
Published on December 7, 2011

A warm and nourishing winter comfort soup loaded lentils, barley, vegetables and mushrooms

Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 to 40 minutes

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Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 12 oz (350 g) white mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 large carrot, sliced
  • 1 large potato, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 3/4 cup dried green lentils, rinsed
  • 1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 5 cups water or vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
  • fresh ground black pepper
Instructions:
  • Heat a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil, wait a few moments, then swirl to coat the pan. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes or until the onion just starts to turn translucent. Toss in the chili flakes, curry powder and thyme, and stir once to coat the onions.

  • Turn up the heat to medium-high and add the mushrooms with a 1/4 cup of the water. Sauté for 5 minutes, then add the carrot, potato and celery, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the lentils and barley, pour in the water or vegetable stock, and add the bay leaf. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the vegetables, lentils and barley are tender.

  • Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Makes 6 servings

Mushroom, Lentil and Barley Soup

Other warming soups from Lisa's Kitchen:
Beet, Barley and Black Bean Soup
Sweet Potato Squash Soup with Pinto Beans and Chard
Chickpea and Cabbage Soup
Indian-Style Split Pea Soup

On the top of the reading stack: cookbooks

Audio Accompaniment: Trentemoller

10 comments:

Finla said...

Soup looks healthy, flavourfull and delicious.

Pam said...

This is my kind of soup! Great recipe, thanks!

Unknown said...

that looks delicious and healthy both.

dena said...

My sister and I grew up on the tube-style package version of this soup (we called it "3-in-1 soup for obvious reason). Your recipe is much more tasty and healthier.

Jamie said...

Easy to make soup, eh? I prefer eating to making, I must admit. I will try this on the weekend. If my kitchen fills with smoke my cat will hate you.

Lisa Turner said...

It is not a smoky dish. Cats can hate you no matter what you do :)

Priya Suresh said...

Wat a filling and comforting bowl of inviting soup.

vegetarian said...

Great Recipes! Looks delicious and yummy! Thanks for posting this!
Love your recipes!

Matt @ FaveDiets said...

I've been wanting to make a hearty vegetable-based soup for a while now, and this recipe looks perfect.

Rita said...

Very similar to the barley soup I made this week. Thank you so much for having this draw for the food processor; of you were to see mine; you would agree I deserve a new one.
Rita