Shakespearean Barley Fruit Soup Recipes

SCOTTISH COCK-A-LEEKIE SOUP

Steps:

• Cut off the leek tops (the dark green, fibrous parts) and wash well. Set aside the leek bottoms.
• Put clean leak tops in the bottom of a large pot. Place chicken on top and add bay leaf, garlic, dried plums, and 3 quarts water. Set over high heat until it starts to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low or low and simmer gently, occasionally pushing the chicken under the liquid with tongs, for 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare leek bottoms by trimming off the root ends and slicing them in half lengthwise. Turn leeks and cut crosswise into ½-inch slices. Transfer to a large bowl and fill with cold water so leeks are floating. Toss with your hands to loosen dirt. Grab leeks with your hands, shake gently to remove water, and transfer to another bowl. Place in the refrigerator until needed.
• Carefully lift chicken with two forks, let liquid drain from the cavity, and place it in a bowl. Separate meat from skin and bones. Tear meat into bite-sized pieces put in the refrigerator until needed.
• Place skin and bones back into the pot and gently simmer for 1 more hour.
• Set a colander in a bowl. Use a skimmer spoon to transfer all solids from the broth to the colander. Discard solids and transfer any broth back to the pot.
• Add half of the sliced leeks to the pot with salt, pepper, and rice. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour, skimming some fat off if you want and adding more water if it's reducing down too much.
• Add remaining sliced leeks, chicken, and thyme. Simmer over medium-low for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve.

MUSHROOM AND BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Place the meat and a pinch of salt in a 3-to-4-quart soup pot. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil, skim the foam from the surface, cover, reduce the heat and simmer gently for one hour.
• Add the carrot, celery, onion, parsnip and/or parsley root, knob celery and parsley sprigs.
• Remove the dried mushroom caps from their soaking liquid and chop coarsely. Add to the soup. If the soaking liquid is not sandy, add it to the soup.
• Simmer for one hour, then add the barley. Simmer for 30 minutes to one hour more, or until the meat is very tender. If the soup thickens too much add a little boiling water as needed.
• Remove the meat, trim off the fat and cut in chunks or spoonsize pieces. Return to the pot. Vegetables can be diced and returned to soup or eliminated, as you prefer.
• Skim the fat from the surface of the soup. Season to taste and sprinkle in the dill if desired. Serve each portion of soup and meat with half a large (or 1 small) boiled potato.

SHAKESPEAREAN BARLEY FRUIT SOUP

Steps:

• Simmer chicken broth, apricots and apples for 45 minutes.
• Add peas and barley and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add salt to taste and ginger to taste and serve.