Beef Barley Soup

My darling husband has been a bit under the weather.  For us that always calls for Soups!  I have made Pho, Ramen, French Onion and now Beef Barley.  I still have to make an Irish Wild Mushroom Soup and Chicken (probably noodle) soup and what ever else pops into my head.

Tonights concoction was the Beef Barley.  I tried making it in our new rice cooker, because I could.  That worked out well.  The soup was exceptional, even by my strict standards.  So, here is how I made it.

BEEF BARLEY SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

2 T oil

2 carrots, chopped

1 parsnip, chopped

1 red onion, diced

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 1/2 T garlic, minced

2 T "Spice Rub" from the Feast Hall

1/2 c barley

2 lb beef

2 qt beef stock

2 qt water

DIRECTIONS:

1)  Heat pan, put in oil and onions and saute for a few minutes before adding carrots, parsnip and celery

2)  Cut beef into small bitesize pieces and mix with spice rub and mix into pan with all remaining ingredients, mix and cover

3)  Bring to a rolling boil for about 30 minutes then drop to a simmer until reduced by 1 qt

4)  Serve with a good bread to soak up all the juices

NOTES:

If you do not have beef stock I have found "Better than Boullion" to be a fine substitute.  I unfortunately have not been able to find good beef stock here so, it has been my saviour.  I used 4 qt water and 2 T Better than Boullion.

Makes 4 qt of soup

Pimento Cheese

I have no idea how I have not posted this before!  I have been using this recipe for about two years and kept having to refer to an email I sent it to a friend in to find it.   So, here it is!!!



PIMENTO CHEESE

Ingredients
1/2 lb Sharp Cheddar
1/2 lb Pepper Jack
4 oz Jar Pimentos
1 t Chipotle
4 oz Cream Cheese

DIRECTIONS
1)  Grate Cheddar and Jack
2)  Drain Pimentos
3)  Place all ingredients in mixer and mix until mostly smooth
4)  Refrigerate until service


NOTES
1)  If you can not get Pimentos you can use roasted red peppers
2)  If you can not get Chipotle use 1/2 t Cayenne & 1/2 t Paprika
3)  I originally used Mayonaisse, but the cream cheese gives better flavor, texture and mouth feel.