Friends often ask me how I find the time to cook so much. While I get paid to do so at times, I also prioritize my non-work life. That is when I can actually distinguish the two. Some people spend their evenings at the gym or the pub. I usually spend them in my kitchen. But here’s the thing – I probably cook way less than they imagine.
When I cook, I almost always make meals that go further than just one occasion. I embrace leftovers and usually get at least a lunch or second dinner out of each meal. You might find me almost always enjoying a home-cooked meal, but that doesn’t mean I cook up something new every single day.
Soup is the perfect example of winter cooking that really stretches itself during the week. Even if I’m just cooking dinner for myself, I’ll make a big pot of soup anyway. If for some reason, I realize I won’t finish it all within a few days, I just freeze it. Soup freezes great and will defrost in no time. I’d rather make more than necessary to have ready to go than scramble on busier nights or opt to eat out more often than I can actually afford.
While beef and barley is the classic soup combo, I had some ground sausage hanging out in the freezer and figured it would work just as well. If you have beef, certainly use that here instead. I started the soup, as most soups start, by browning onions, carrots, garlic, and herbs in olive oil. These are the aromatics.
I added the sausage and broke it up with a wooden spoon, letting it cook until browned.
Next, I added the barley, letting it sauté for a minute or two. I think barley is excellent in soup. It doesn’t turn mushy or puff up like how most other grains or pasta. Barley maintains a nice chewy texture and adds some heartiness. Try subbing it for other grains in your favorite soups or those soups needing something to make them more filling.
Then in went the liquids – broth and crushed tomatoes. I used vegetable broth I already had opened, but beef broth would work too. I also found a couple of turnips hanging out in the fridge that I decided to add in as well. That’s what I love about soups. You really can add in a little of anything. It’s the perfect way to clean up those odds and ends you might have accumulated.
After letting the soup simmer for a good 30 minutes, I mixed in a few cups of spinach. It’ll cook down a ton, as I always seem surprised to find, so don’t worry if it seems like too much at first. Then, the soup just needed a few minutes more for the spinach to wilt. Before serving, I added a splash of lemon juice for brightness and salt and pepper as needed. Adding acidity like citrus or vinegar at the end of a soup will help bring out the flavors and add a level of freshness.
Sausage, Barley and Spinach Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 1/2 lb ground sausage
- 14 1/2 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups of your favorite broth
- 2 turnips, diced
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 5 cups spinach
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add garlic, onion, carrots, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables start to brown and become tender, about 7 minutes or so.
- Add in the ground sausage and break up with a wooden spoon. Let start to brown for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the barley and let cook for a couple of minutes.
- Next, pour in the tomatoes, broth, and turnip. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to a simmer and cook about 30 minutes until the barley and turnips are tender.
- A couple of minutes before serving, stir in the spinach. Let it wilt, then add the lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning.