Description
Hearty pearl barley soup promises comfort and warmth with its rich Mediterranean flavors and nourishing ingredients. Packed with wholesome vegetables and aromatic herbs, this soul-satisfying dish will transport you to a rustic kitchen filled with culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup pearl barley
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup spinach (optional)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 can (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a generously sized pot at medium temperature, introducing chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Allow vegetables to soften and become translucent for approximately 6 minutes.
- Incorporate pearl barley into the vegetable mixture, gently toasting the grains for 2 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor profile.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, water, and introduce aromatic bay leaf and thyme. Mix thoroughly and elevate to a rolling boil.
- Decrease heat to low, secure pot with a lid, and allow soup to gently simmer for 45 minutes. Monitor barley’s transformation to tender and plump consistency.
- Taste and calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly ground pepper, ensuring balanced flavors throughout the liquid.
- During final 4 minutes of cooking, fold in fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt and integrate seamlessly into the soup’s texture.
- Extract bay leaf prior to serving, ensuring a clean and harmonious dining experience.
Notes
- Select pearl barley with a consistent color and size for even cooking and texture throughout the soup.
- Toast barley briefly to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent mushiness during long simmering.
- Customize this soup by adding protein like diced chicken, beans, or lentils for extra nutritional value and heartiness.
- Replace vegetable broth with low-sodium versions to control salt intake and create a lighter, healthier meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg