Tuscan Traditions

Tuscan Onion and Barley Soup

The ideal dish for a chilly day.

4.9 (8) 30 min
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Ingredients

4 Servings

  • Vegetable Broth 1.5 liter
  • Red onion 4
  • Barley (pearl) 150 grams
  • Garlic Cloves 2
  • Potatoes 1
  • Bay leaf 1
  • Extra-virgin olive oil as needed
  • Salt and Pepper as needed
  • Parmesan cheese (Grated) as needed

Preparation

Prepare the Soup

Slice the onion and cook with plenty of oil along with garlic and laurel leaf. When the onion begins to color add the potato chopped in small cubes.

Cook the Soup

Mix and leave over a low flame for a few minutes, then add the broth adding some black pepper and salt. Bring to boil.

Add the barley (soak in water for a couple of minutes before) and leave to boil until ready (around 30 mins).

Complete and Serve the dish

Serve hot, with grated parmesan cheese and grated black pepper and salt, to taste.

Reviews

4.9 8 reviews

  1. Better on the second day, which the recipe says and which I did not believe until I tried.

    Nathan F.

    Perth, Australia · April 2026

  2. Well written, and refreshingly free of stories before the actual method.

    Pierre A.

    Lyon, France · April 2026

  3. The visual cues are more useful than the timings, because every kitchen is different. Glad both are given.

    David K.

    Chicago, USA · February 2026

  4. My equipment is smaller than the recipe assumes, so I had to do it in two goes. Obvious in hindsight.

    Ryan M.

    Vancouver, Canada · October 2025

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