Meatless Monday with Mushroom Barley Soup

As a green call centre, we support the Meatless Monday movement in support of reducing meat consumption to improve personal and planetary health. Today we have a great, hearty soup that will be perfect on a cold autumn or winter night. Plus you can have it made fresh and on the table within a half hour. This satisfying mushroom barley soup is sure to become one of your go to soups any day of the week and comes courtesy of Martha Stewart kitchens at Everyday Food.

Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/4 pounds white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 4 1/2 cups canned reduced-sodium vegetable broth (or you can make your own)
• 1 cup quick-cooking barley
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 chunk (1 ounce) Parmesan, shaved with a vegetable peeler (Vegans omit)

Directions
In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add broth and 2 cups water to pan; bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to a simmer; add barley, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove soup from heat; stir in parsley and lemon juice. Serve garnished with Parmesan.

This recipe yields four portions but remember that soups are easily adjusted.  The trick to making a barley soup in minutes is using quick-cooking barley. Quick-cooking barley lives up to it’s name as it is pre-steamed and takes only ten minutes compared to pearl barley which takes more than twice that time to cook. Even though quick-cooking barley is ready in less time, it still has the same great flavor of the traditional slow cooked variety. The “lemon juice, parsley, and Parmesan wake up the mushrooms. Sautéing mushrooms and aromatics quickly build a foundation of flavor.” Complete the offering with some restaurant style garlic bread and a side salad.  This is the perfect meal to fit into any busy schedule and the best part is that it’s healthy to boot.

Please visit the Meatless Monday site to learn more. Join the movement and encourage your co-workers to go Meatless on Mondays at your green call centre, factory, office, shop or salon. Enjoy!