Mushroom Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 1.8 cups beef broth fat-free low-sodium
• 0.3 teaspoon pepper black
• 2  carrots chopped
• 2 rib celery cut into 1/3-inch dice
• 0.3 cup porcini dried
• 2 tablespoons medium-dry sherry 
• 1 leaf garnish: flat parsley fresh chopped
• 1 large leek white green halved lengthwise thinly sliced ( and pale parts only)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 large onion chopped
• 0.3 cup quick-cooking barley 
• 1.5 teaspoons salt 
• 0.5 lb shiitakes fresh thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 
• 7 cups water 

Equipment

• bowl
• paper towels
• pot
• sieve
• colander

Directions

1. Simmer barley in 3 1/2 cups water in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot, uncovered, until almost tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Drain in a colander.
3. While barley is cooking, soak porcini in 1/2 cup water in a small bowl until softened, about 20 minutes.
4. Drain in a sieve lined with a dampened paper towel set over a bowl, reserving liquid. Rinse porcini to remove any grit, then coarsely chop. Wash sliced leek in a bowl of water, then lift from water and drain in sieve.
5. Heat oil in cleaned pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion and celery, stirring occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes.
6. Add carrots, shiitakes, leek, and porcini and sauté, stirring frequently, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and mushrooms are golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
7. Stir in tomato paste, Sherry, beef broth, mushroom soaking liquid, barley, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables and barley are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
8. •Soup can be made 3 days ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat soup and thin with water as necessary.
9. Each serving contains about 71 calories and 2 grams fat.
10. Gourmet