Hearty Swiss Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) barley 1 cup (200g) barley
• 8 cups (1.9L) beef or vegetable broth 8 cups (1.9L) beef or vegetable broth
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 leeks, sliced 2 leeks, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 8 oz (225g) smoked beef or pork, diced 8 oz (225g) smoked beef or pork, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 6g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the barley under cold water and drain.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, leeks, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
3. 3.
   Add the diced smoked beef or pork to the pot and cook for a few minutes until lightly browned.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and meat, stirring well to coat.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef or vegetable broth and add the rinsed barley, bay leaf, and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1 hour or until the barley is tender, stirring occasionally.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Hearty Swiss Barley Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Barley — Rinse the barley thoroughly under cold water to remove any impurities before using it in the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the smoked meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as potatoes or peas to customize the soup to your liking.
• If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more broth or water.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating it when ready to serve.
• Serve the soup with crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Hearty Swiss Barley Soup as a main course accompanied by a slice of crusty bread. It is a filling and satisfying dish on its own.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top to add a pop of color. Serve it in a rustic bowl or soup tureen to showcase its comforting nature.