Barley Soup

Name: Barley Soup (Osh-e jow)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: Makes 6 servings
Cuisine: Iranian
Ingredients: ¼ cup (60 ml) oil; 2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced; ½ pound (225 g) stew meat (lamb or beef), or boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch/1cm cubes; ½ pound (225 g) stew meat (lamb or beef), or boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch/1cm cubes; 1 teaspoon turmeric; ¼ cup (50 g) dried red kidney beans, soaked in water for at least 4 hours, and then drained; ¼ cup (50 g) dried chickpeas, soaked in water for 4 hours, and then drained; ¼ cup (50 g) brown lentils; ½ pound (225 g) stew meat (lamb or beef), or boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch/1cm cubes; ½ pound (225 g) stew meat (lamb or beef), or boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch/1cm cubes; 2 teaspoons sea salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 cups (170 g) chopped fresh parsley or ½ cup (40 g) dried; 1 cup (200 g) barley; 12 cups (2.8 l) water or broth; 12 cups (2.8 l) water or broth; ¼ cup (50 g) rice; 1 pound (450 g) fresh spinach, washed and chopped, or frozen; ½ cup (40 g) chopped fresh dill or 2 tablespoons dried; 1 cup (85 g) chopped fresh cilantro or ¼ cup (20 g) dried; 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons oil; 1 cup (240 g) liquid kashk* or sour cream; 1 cup (240 g) liquid kashk* or sour cream; 2 tablespoons dried mint leaves; ½ teaspoon turmeric; 5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

Osh-e jow

Preparation info

Makes
6
servings

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
3 hr 30

Appears in

Food of Life

By Najmieh Batmanglij

Published 2011

About

Ingredients

¼ cup (60 ml) oil
2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced

Asia
Iran
Southeast Asia
Soup

Method

In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Brown the onions and meat. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add the kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils, and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add barley. Cover and simmer for 50 minu