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Do you remember a while ago when I posted my recipe for Homemade Lamb or Beef Stock? It was way back at the end of last September when nights had just started getting chilly around here. I thought I had used the last of that beautiful stock in a stew last month, but I just found a quart of it tucked away in my freezer. (Yup, stock lasts that long in the freezer. A sure-fire way to tell if it’s still good is to let it thaw and then smell it before using – you will know if it smells “off”; as a general rule, it should last about 6 months in the freezer.)
I decided to get as much use out of the stock as I could by turning it into something even more nutritious. I added a couple basic vegetables – carrot, leek, and garlic – but you could substitute onion for the leek if that’s what you have on hand. (And if you have a couple stalks of celery, you could chop them up and add them as well.) We recently had a lamb roast and I had extra meat on hand, so into the pot it went. (This soup is hearty even without meat though, so this is totally optional.)
Barley was the last ingredient, and I added it not only because it’s delicious and I had it on hand, but also because it’s extremely nourishing. And with this crazy hot/cold weather we’ve been having (temps in the 50’s one day, and in the low teens the next), people are dropping like flies with head colds, throat infections, and stomach bugs, and I’m doing what I can to fight it.
There are a huge number of health benefits related to barley consumption; to name just a few: lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar; preventing cancer; maintaining good bowel function; losing weight; and treating coughs, colds, and throat infections. To read more about barley’s benefits, check out WebMD, The World’s Healthiest Foods, and Diet Health Club.
Soup’s on, and here’s to staving off – or at least hopefully shortening – a winter illness!
- 4 cups (1 liter) homemade beef or lamb stock (see note below)
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1 leek (white part only), quartered, thinly sliced, and rinsed thoroughly
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (35 g) pearl barley
- 1½ cups (225 g) cooked beef or lamb, cubed or pulled (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bring the stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat; add the carrot, leek, garlic, and barley and bring it back up to a boil.
- Cover the saucepan, turn the heat down to simmer, and cook until the vegetables and barley are tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the meat and cook until warm, about 3 minutes.
- Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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what a beautiful soup. I love barley especially in winter. Great idea.
Faith, what a beautiful soup, beautiful photo and beautiful soup pot! There is nothing like homemade stock! Enjoy the remainder of the week!
Nourishing is just the word for this. Nothing beats the richness and nutrient value of homemade stock. I love how versatile this recipe is, too, in terms of adding whatever root veggies you have on hand (though I must say, leek is calling out to me). I’m bookmarking this for when the temps drop. At the moment they’re well into 30c!
I love barley soup. I usually make it with beef, but the addition of lamb sounds delicious. Stay warm, Faith.
I want to dive into that pot and swim around! It’s so chilly this evening (snowed today) and seems like the house just doesn’t want to warm up. An endless bowl of your barley soup sounds like just the ticket to warm me up!
I love barley soups Faith, especially in the winter. There are few things more comforting to me!
Such a beautiful soup, Faith. I needed a pot of this last weekend when the temps dropped really low here (finally). You remind me to make my own stock…it’s been too long:)
this looks so comforting and nourishing – love it!
It must be like a treasure when you found that last piece of the beef stock in your freezer! This soup sound so hearty and warming, perfect for winter! I love that it has leek, and celery would be a good addition!
I love that this looks super healthy but still feels like comfort food. Perfect for a cold day!
I have been saving veggies scraps to make a homemade stock- will def make this soup. :) its so comforting
I’m sure the homemade stock gives this soup amazing flavor!
I made a barley broth the other day, with homemade beef stock. There is literally nothing better or more comforting than a steaming bowl of homemade stock on a cold day. x
I love homemade stock. It’s the best and there’s no comparison when it comes to both taste and nutrition. Lovely soup for a wintery day!
I still am yet to make stock! Barley is such an underrated grain- its so delicious!
This is the perfect soup for cold season! I love how every component of it is homemade.
Nutritious, comforting and scrumptious! A great winter soup.
Cheers,
Rosa