Vegetarian Mushroom and Barley Soup with Fresh Spinach

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Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 8
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 164.6
  • Total Fat: 4.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 310.3 mg
  • Total Carbs: 26.7 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 5.7 g
  • Protein: 7.2 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Vegetarian Mushroom and Barley Soup with Fresh Spinach calories by ingredient


Introduction

This was a big hit on a cold and snowy day. Can be made vegan by omitting the Greek yogurt garnish or replacing it with plain soy yogurt. This was a big hit on a cold and snowy day. Can be made vegan by omitting the Greek yogurt garnish or replacing it with plain soy yogurt.
Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

    Soup:
    2 T extra virgin olive oil
    1 carton (4 servings) of mushroom broth (I use Pacific brand)
    3 C water (more or less to reach desired consistency)
    1 C dry pearl barley
    4 C diced mushrooms (buy pre-sliced to save time and mix varieties for more flavor)
    1 C diced carrot
    1 C diced celery
    1 medium sweet or white onion, diced
    4-6 cloves of garlic
    1 T dried thyme
    1/2 t season salt (optional)
    1-2 T white whine vinegar
    1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes (optional)
    black pepper

    Garnish:
    1-2 T plain 0% fat Greek yogurt
    Handful of fresh spinach, torn

Directions

Coat the bottom of a large, lidded stockpot or dutch oven with oil and place on medium heat.

Dice onions and saute in pot until slightly translucent, about 3-4 minutes. While onions are cooking, slice and dice mushroom into small pieces (this is important because the mushrooms can get a bit chewy if the pieces are too big). Add mushrooms to the pot, cover, and reduce heat to medium/low. Stir occasionally, until mushrooms start to release their juices (about 5 minutes). While mushrooms are gently sauteing, dice the carrots, celery, and garlic. Add veggies with a pinch of salt & pepper and a splash of white wine vinegar, give them a good stir, and cook them in the covered pot until they begin to soften.

Add the mushroom broth, water, bouillon (if using), thyme, and pearl barley to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook (covered) until barley is done (about 20-25 minutes). Adjust flavor to taste.

Top soup with a handful of torn fresh spinach and a dollop of yogurt.

Serving Size: Makes about 8 2-cup bowls of soup

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user MOPO17.