# Required Ingredients:
→ Mushrooms
01 - 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
02 - 8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
→ Grains
03 - 3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed
→ Aromatics & Vegetables
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 medium onion, diced
06 - 2 medium carrots, diced
07 - 2 celery stalks, diced
08 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Broth & Seasonings
09 - 8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 2 bay leaves
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Place dried shiitake mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Let soak for 20 minutes until softened. Drain while reserving the soaking liquid, then slice the mushrooms. Strain the soaking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove sediment.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften.
03 - Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until the aroma becomes fragrant.
04 - Stir in fresh sliced mushrooms and rehydrated shiitake mushrooms. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until mushrooms release their natural juices.
05 - Add pearl barley, reserved mushroom soaking liquid, and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir in bay leaves, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until barley becomes tender.
07 - Remove bay leaves from the pot. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
08 - Ladle soup into serving bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
