Author Notes
During my college years I worked part time at the local Kroger as a cashier. This particular store anchored a large strip mall which included a Woolworths, a JC Penney and much to everyone's satisfaction a Sanders store. Sanders was famous for their ice cream, sundaes, shakes and cakes and back then had a lunch counter that served fabulous food. When I worked on Saturdays all day I would go to Sanders for their fabulous vanilla milk shake and for their mushroom barley soup. I just loved the soup and here have tried to re-create it in all its simplicity. —inpatskitchen
Ingredients
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3 tablespoons
olive oil, divided
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12 ounces
medium button mushrooms, sliced
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12 ounces
boneless beef chuck cut into a small dice
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1
large onion, diced
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1
stalk celery cut into a small dice
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1
carrot cut into a small dice
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2
cloves minced garlic
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1
bay leaf
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1/4 teaspoon
dried thyme leaves
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1 teaspoon
salt
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1 teaspoon
black pepper
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2 cups
beef broth
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8 cups
chicken broth
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1 cup quick cooking pearl barley ( add an extra 1/2 cup for a thicker soup)
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2 tablespoons
Worcestershire sauce
Directions
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In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and then add the sliced mushrooms and saute until browned. Set aside.
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In a large soup pot heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and add the diced beef. Cook until nice and brown.
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Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme leaves, bay leaf and salt and pepper and continue to cook until the onion softens.
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Add the beef broth and chicken broth, bring up to a boil and then simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, adding the mushrooms at about the 20 minute mark. Add the barley and simmer another 10 to 15 minutes.
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Turn off the heat and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Re season with salt and pepper if need be.
I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining.
My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!
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