PREPARATION:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the dried mushrooms, remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes or until mushrooms have softened. In a soup pot or Dutch oven, over medium heat add the barley in the extra virgin olive oil. Saute the barley for 2 to 3 minutes or just until light brown. This will bring out a nutty flavor. Add the onions, the parsnip and celery and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, until the onions start to soften. Add the garlic and the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, covered, until they release their juices, about 4 minutes.
2. Strain the mushroom vegetable broth into the soup pot, making sure to stop before reaching the sand at the bottom of the vegetable broth pot. Add the soaked mushrooms, bay leaves, and thyme and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook for 5 minutes more.

To Serve

1. Remove and discard the bay leaves. If desired, season with additional salt and pepper and serve with the sourdough toast.

Watch the video

1. Emeril's Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup

2. Learn more about sustainable food choices with our Eat Green Guide.

3. This recipe was featured in the Soups for Supper episode of Emeril Green.