This soup features our new Purple Barley from Shelley and Tony at Against The Grain Farm in Ontario. It's a simple soup that combines many of our favourite things. The barley is pre-cooked in this recipe and adds just the right amount of chew.
Miso Vegetable Barley Soup1/2 cup dry Flourist Organic Purple Barley, cooked (about 1.5 cups cooked)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 large white onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced into half moons
2 medium carrots, peeled, halved and sliced
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large can (28oz. or 798g) whole peeled tomatoes
1/4 large head green cabbage, thinly sliced (4 cups chopped)
1 bunch green curly kale, stemmed and chopped
4 cups (1 litre) Vegetable Broth
1 tbsp dry or fresh parsley
1 tbsp honey
1/3 cup dark miso
More salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
First, cook the dry barley in plenty of water (about 8 cups) according to the directions for Farro here. The barley should be ready in about 1 hour or less. When cooked, drain and rinse until ready to use.
In a large soup pot or dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, carrots and salt and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are glistening. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes more, until the garlic is fragrant.
Add the tomatoes, vegetable broth, cabbage and cooked barley, and bring to a boil with the lid on with the heat on high. Once the mixture is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-high (enough to keep a gentle rolling simmer) and cook for 25 minutes with the lid slightly ajar. Stir every a few times during the cooking process.
Add the kale and cook for 2-3 minutes until the greens are wilted and still bright green. Add the dried or fresh parsley, miso and honey and stir to incorporate with the heat off and the lid on.
Season to taste with black pepper, optional olive oil or butter for the soup bowls, and serve hot.
Comments
Hi there – just wondering if you use miso paste or powder? Also, could I substitute farro for barley?
Thanks!
Hi @Nancy! So sorry for the delay with this reply, we missed this one!
Yes, I can see how that might read a little confusing! This should read as ‘stir to help the miso dissolve with the heat off’. It is helpful to have the lid slightly on to trap as much heat as possible to help the miso dissolve (I usually hold the lid with one hand while stirring with the other), however this part if not necessary. The stirring can be done without the lid on. I hope that helps to clarify!
This is a new technique for me: “and stir to incorporate with the heat off and the lid on.” Can you explain how to stir with the lid on? Thanks!
Hi Trish, this serves 4 generously. Thank you!
I might be missing this, but how many servings is this recipe?
This soup is amazing – so hearty and full of flavor. I happened to have red miso on hand so I used that and it was great!
Hello Ilse! We haven’t tried cooking either of those grains in a rice cooker. We wish we could be of more help! If you do hear of any tips or try experimenting, let us know. Thank you for checking with us, and good luck!
Any thoughts on how I could Farro and Barley in a rice cooker?
I bought sone some years ago because I needed to cook for a kidney patient who couldn’t eat too much whole grain (phosphate). Now he’s passed away so I’m looking at ways to use the rice cooker. I’m not a big rice fan, I’m trying to find alternative uses.
Hi Lori, yes you are right, 28 ounces. I’ll update the recipe now!!
Should that say 28 ounces of tomatoes? From a large can?