Tuscan Barley Soup Recipes

TUSCAN BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a 5-quart saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon into small pieces, until brown, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked sausage and reserve.
• Add the barley and cook stirring constantly until lightly toasted, about 4 minutes. Add the broth, carrots, parsnips, zucchini, fennel, leeks, chard, cheese rind if using, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the barley is tender, about 35 minutes.
• Remove the Parmesan rind and bay leaf, and discard. Season the soup with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the cooked sausage and chopped chives.

MOM'S ITALIAN BEEF BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a slow cooker, combine beef, water, bouillon, onion, tomato sauce, barley, salt and pepper.
• Cover, and cook on Low for 5 hours.

ITALIAN BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Bring soup stock and water to a boil in a large stockpot.
• Reduce heat and add barley, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, red wine, lemon, pepper, and salt.
• Cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring frequently to prevent barley from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Add the herbs, tomatoes, and tomato paste and cook for 1 more hour.
• Leave the lid on during cooking and occasionally check to see if you need to add water.
• Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese before serving.

TUSCAN BEAN AND BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add pancetta and saute until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
• Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels; set aside.
• Add onion, carrot, celery, and fennel to the pot; saute until softened, about 6 minutes.
• Add beans, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, and about 6 cups water, or as much as is needed to cover the beans by about 2 inches; bring to a boil.
• Decrease heat and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Discard rosemary, sage, and thyme sprigs.
• Meanwhile, cook barley according to package directions and set aside.
• Using an immersion blender, or in a food processor or blender in batches, puree soup until smooth.
• Return to the pot, if necessary.
• Add barley and pancetta; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle into heated bowls, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with Parmesan curls.

SAUSAGE BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until the sausage is evenly brown. Season with Italian seasoning. Remove from heat, and drain.
• In a slow cooker, mix the sausage mixture, chicken broth, carrot, spinach, and barley.
• Cover, and cook 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.