Barley soup with meat
Description
Simple, healthy, and very delicious. If you want to prepare a hearty first course, barley soup with meat is an excellent choice. This soup takes about 2.5 hours to cook. To reduce cooking time, soak the barley in advance (for at least 3 hours). The combination of barley and beef is simply perfect. Vegetables are added raw (no need to sauté them), and if desired, you can add fresh herbs at the end. Serve the soup hot.
Instructions
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Step 1
1. This soup takes about 2.5 hours to prepare. Despite the long cooking time, it is often made for lunch in many families. I always soak the barley overnight to reduce the cooking time.
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Step 2
2. I cooked it in a multicooker, but the soup can be prepared on the stovetop following the same sequence. First, thoroughly wash the beef (it's best to use lean meat), add barley and bring to a boil. Be sure to skim off the foam that forms. Season the soup with salt only once the barley is cooked; otherwise, the barley will take a long time to soften. Since barley and beef require approximately the same cooking time, they are added to the water together. After boiling, add bay leaf, peppercorns, and spices to taste.
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Step 3
3. I like adding allspice to this soup; it gives it a special piquancy.
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Step 4
4. Slice the onion into half-rings. For this soup, I don't prepare a sauté, but add the vegetables raw.
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Step 5
5. Cut the carrots into thin strips, add them to the soup together with the onion.
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Step 6
6. Slice the potatoes, but add them to the soup only when the barley is cooked. Remove the cooked meat, slice it into pieces, and return it to the soup. Season with salt and spices to taste (you can add fresh herbs at the end if desired). When the soup is ready, turn off the heat and let it steep.
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Step 7
7. Serve the barley soup with meat hot.