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Quick Mushroom Barley Soup
I surprised my mother with a visit some years ago, and she was preparing this soup when I walked in. It was so wonderful that I asked for the recipe, and I’ve been fixing it ever since. —Edie Irwin, Cornwall, New York
Reviews
I love mushroom barley soup! I reconstituted dried porcini mushrooms and used them; wish I’d included the mushroom water. Might add celery next time as someone else added and maybe vegetable broth for more flavor. Also used regular barley.
I made the recipe as is with no changes and felt it was very bland. It is a good basic soup but needs additional seasonings
I really like this soup! Very easy, satisfying and delicious.I did make a few changes: as written, the recipe has way too much salt for me, so I reduced the salt by 2/3 (only using 1/2 tsp. for the whole pot, which was plenty). I added two packets of Herb-Ox No Sodium Chicken Bouillon (an excellent product, a very flavorful and versatile ingredient for those of us who need to watch their salt intake), 1 tsp. dried thyme, and a wee sprinkling of low sodium lemon pepper seasoning instead of black pepper. I also added a couple of chopped up stalks of celery because I find it gives a nice depth of flavor. I also didn't have quick-cooking barley and used regular, just-plain-barley (not pearled) and increased the total cooking time to 30 or 40 minutes. A treat and I'm looking forward to enjoying the leftovers!
Great basic recipe that I've made twice. Changed it up the second time with two types of mushrooms -- baby portobellos and buttons. I also added fresh dill and thyme from our garden (no reason we can't use dried as well, right?).
I love this soup!!! In answer to other comments, if you need more flavor by all means add more salt or herbs. I thought it was delicious and I added a little extra salt to my bowl. I also used canned mushrooms which also worked. That liquid was part of the 2 cups of water.
Very good and quick and easy. Will make again.
I used 2 cups of mushrooms according to a suggestion and added thyme. It was great!
This soup is lacking in flavor. It needs some kind of seasoning. Also I couldn't find quick cooking barley so I used regular and cooked it longer.
I enjoyed this soup for something different, especially since I really like barley. Like other reviewers, I also had to use regular barley (precooked), and I just added it without any extra water. I also used fat free milk and believe the flavor was not impaired. I do think it needs some kind of additional spice. I will try the thyme as suggested.
I thought this lacked flavor. The only seasoning was the salt and pepper. My family ate it but no one was impressed.