It was a perfect “soup day” yesterday, here in BC. 🙂

There was a bit of chill in the air, intermittent drizzle….so I got busy and made a big pot of: Tangy Barley Buttermilk Soup along with some: Sausage, Cheese and Thyme Muffins. What a yummy and oh so satisfying dinner it was! 🙂

I’ve shared the complete soup recipe below, this one is from the Groovy Green Kitchen II: Simply, Super, Supper Soups.

The muffins are from volume I of: The Groovy Green Kitchen: Weeknight Veggie Slow Cooker. They were perfect with this luscious, cream soup. 😉

I hope you’ll enjoy a bowl (or two) soon!

Happy Cooking and Week!

PS: Yes, the cover of the GGK I has been updated.I also did some work on the interior photos to improve the overall presentation. If you have a copy already, an update would be available from Amazon. If you need any further info. about this, just send me an email (see contact page).

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Tangy Barley Buttermilk Soup

This soup was inspired by a recipe from the first edition of the ground-breaking book: Diet for a Small Planet. My updated version adds garlic and herbs but leaves out the butter.

I also recently “tweaked” the seaonings a bit, adding some from Splendor Garden (certified organic, gotta ♥ that, and they added a wonderful flavor and color boost to the soup). Serves 6.

-¾ C. pearl or pot barley

-3 T. vegetable or olive oil

-1 large (preferably sweet) onion, diced

-2-4 cloves garlic, minced (to taste)

-2 teas. bouquet garni seasoning or GGK Herbal Blend Seasoning (GGK seasoning recipe is in the book)

-1-2 teas. dried chives (to taste)

-¼ – ½ teas. freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

-1-2 teas. Splendor Garden Organic All-Purpose Seasoning SF OR Splendor Garden Organic Lemon Pepper Seasoning

-5 C. vegetable soup stock

-2 C. regular or low-fat buttermilk

-Optional garnishes: finely chopped fresh parsley or chives and/or additional sprinkle of Splendor Garden seasoning blend

Thoroughly rinse and drain barley, set aside.

In a large soup pot, heat vegetable oil over MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes.

Add herbs, black pepper, Splendor Garden seasoning and the barley and stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Cover and steam over MEDIUM-LOW heat for 5 minutes to release flavors and slightly toast barley. (Hint: be careful not to burn the barley, stir at least a couple of times)

Add vegetable soup stock, cover and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to LOW and simmer for 30-40 minutes, until barley is cooked but not mushy.

Add buttermilk to soup and simmer for 2-3 additional minutes, just to heat through.

Adjust seasonings if required. Garnish and serve.