Entree: Liechtenstein – Gerstensuppe mit Speck (Hearty pearl barley soup with smoked bacon and root vegetables)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
15 min
Cook
45 min
Total
1 hr
Ingredients
- 6 oz (170 g) smoked bacon or pancetta, diced
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter or neutral oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 8 oz / 225 g)
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 7 oz / 200 g)
- 2 stalks celery, diced (about 3 oz / 85 g)
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 10 oz / 280 g)
- 1 cup (185 g) pearl barley, rinsed
- 6 cups (1.42 L) beef or vegetable stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried thyme or 1 tbsp (3 g) fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream (optional, for finishing)
- 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to brighten
Instructions
1. In a large soup pot over medium heat, add the diced bacon and cook until fat renders and pieces are crisp, about 6–8 minutes. Remove most of the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve for garnish, leaving the fat in the pot.
2. Add the butter (if needed) to the bacon fat, then add the chopped onion, carrots and celery. Sauté over medium heat until vegetables begin to soften, 6–8 minutes.
3. Stir in the diced potatoes and rinsed pearl barley, coating with the fat and vegetables for 1–2 minutes.
4. Pour in the stock, add the bay leaf and thyme, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover partially, and cook 30–40 minutes until barley and potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally and add water or stock if it becomes too thick.
5. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the reserved crisp bacon pieces (reserving a small amount for garnish), season with salt and pepper, and add the cream if using. Heat through gently but do not boil.
6. Finish with chopped parsley and a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if desired to brighten flavors. Serve hot with extra bacon garnish and dark bread.
