Beef Barley Mushroom Soup

Already February and we have not had any significant snow this winter.  Nemo, the name of this current Nor'easter was the topic of town the past few days.  When it snows, I love to make a hearty soup.  I've adapted this recipe from the September 2006 issue of Gourmet Magazine.  I did not omit any ingredients but added 1/4 cup more pearl barley and 3 cloves of minced garlic.  This is a stick-to-your ribs tasty bowl of soup.  This recipe yields approximately eight servings.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 oz dried mushrooms
3 cups boiling-hot water plus 8 cups cold water
1 pound cross-cut beef short ribs or flanken
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 pound fresh cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup pearl barley
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill


DIRECTIONS:

1.  Soak dried mushrooms in boiling-hot water in a bowl until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain in a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a bowl and reserve soaking liquid. Rinse mushrooms, pat dry, and finely chop.
Mushrooms Soaking:

2.  Bring soaked mushrooms, soaking liquid, ribs, salt, pepper, and remaining 8 cups water to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart pot, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, skimming foam, until meat is just tender, about 1 hour. Transfer ribs with a slotted spoon to a cutting board to cool, reserving broth.

3.  While meat simmers, cook onion, carrots, celery, and creminis in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in barley and minced garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

4.  Discard bones, fat, and gristle from meat, then cut meat into 1/2-inch pieces and add to broth along with barley mixture. Simmer, uncovered, until barley is tender, about 40 minutes. Skim fat from surface, then stir in dill and salt to taste.