mushroom.barley.spinach soup with asian.sesame.chicken salad

 

my very talented cousin sent me the recipe for this souper jenny's mushroom barley soup this morning and i knew immediately what we were having for supper. i love starting the week off with a hearty and healthy meal and this soup and salad combo is all that and more. paired with this asian sesame chicken salad makes the perfect match! i was so busy last week getting ready for a trunk show and traveling, so it feels good to be back home with my husband & pups...and back in the kitchen.

what ya need for soup:

(i changed the recipe a bit to work with ingredients we had in our kitchen)

olive oil

scallions

3 cloves garlic

shiitake mushrooms
portabello mushrooms
1 cup sherry
2 cups organic vegetable broth
2 cups spinach
1 cup dry barley
s&p to taste

what ya need for salad:

1 bag organic mixed baby greens

1 red pepper

brocolli

(dressing)

2 tbsp of rice vinegar
1 tbsp soy
1/4 cup olive oil
.25 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

1 tbsp minced ginger
1 clove garlic
s&p to taste

drizzle some olive oil into a large warm pot and add your garlic and scallions. wash your shiitake and portabello mushrooms and then place them into the pot, along with the sherry. allow mushrooms to cook for and flavors to come together 15 minutes. 

 

add the broth and spinach, and bring to a boil. lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

 

stir in barley and simmer for another 25 to 30 minutes. you may want to add water or more broth if the soup thickens too much from the barley. s&p to taste.

while the soup is simmering, prep your chicken for the asian sesame salad. rinse your chicken and season with salt, pepper and sesame seeds. add to hot skillet with olive oil and cook on each side for 8 - 10 minutes, or until golden brown on each side. chop your pepper and broccoli and add to skillet. 

while the chicken is cooking, whisk together your salad dressing. mince garlic & ginger and add to bottom of salad bowl. add olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil. then add the sesame seeds and salt & pepper. toss dressing well and plate your salad. top with chicken, red pepper and broccoli stir fry from skillet.

 

ENJOY!