Cream of Barley Soup
Ingredients
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed thoroughly
- 1 onion, chopped,
- 1 carrot, sliced,
- 2 celery ribs, sliced,
- 1 bay leaf, (laurel)
- 4 sprigs parsley, fresh
- chicken carcasses, (optional) or ham bone (optional)
- salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream, or 1 cup half-and-half or 1 cup milk
Directions
Combine all the ingredients except the cream in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat.Skim off and discard any foam that appears on the surface.
Reduce the heat and simmer covered until the barley is tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Discard the chicken carcass or ham bone if used.
Puree the soup in an electric blender or food processor and return to the pot.
Add the cream and heat.