Week 149: Mushroom Beef Barley Soup
Happy Thursday!!
Those of you who ordered last week noticed I have new packaging. Before Covid, I wasn't using many disposable containers so I didn't give them much thought ... but since everyone is using them now, I realized I needed to find a better way to deliver soup. I'm very excited about these sturdy paper containers, they are environmentally friendly, food-safe and economical ...the trifecta!! I still have a few plastic containers left to use, but all will be in the new packaging soon after the first of the year.
And speaking of the approaching new year .... this will be my last menu of the 2020. So get your orders in quick otherwise you'll have to wait another year to get Soup(er) Delivery (sorry for the cheesy New Year's pun, I just couldn't resist).
On the menu for TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15th is MUSHROOM BEEF BARLEY SOUP with SPICY CHEESE BREAD. This flavourful soup is filled with mushrooms, barley and slow cooked beef that will melt in your mouth; it's pure comfort food in a bowl!
The soup begins with cooking a little bit of bacon in the pot ... just enough to start the soup off right . Once the bacon is crispy, the beef is added and seared to enhance its flavor. Next, carrots, onions, celery, garlic and mushrooms are added. Once softened, fresh thyme, smoked paprika, and reconstituted dried mushrooms are added along with homemade chicken stock, balsamic vinegar and worcestershire sauce and brought to a boil. The soup simmers for a few hours, until the meat is fork tender. Pearled barley is added towards the end of cooking to add a chewy bite and it's garnished with fresh parsley.
The bread companion this week is SPICY CHEESE BREAD. I learned about this delicious bread while driving in the car with my son listening to "The Splendid Table." They made the bread sound so delicious that my son exclaimed, "Mom, you have to learn how to make that bread!" And so I did. This chewy, cheesy bread is legendary in Wisconsin and incorporates red pepper flakes into both the dough and the topping to give it a spicy kick.
I have two cookies to offer you this week! In celebration of the last week of the calendar year for Soup(er) Delivery, I’m offering a delicious holiday cookie and one of my most popular cookies. On the menu for dessert are WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES and CREAM CHEESE COOKIES N’ CREAM COOKIES! White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are so soft and chewy, because they are made with pudding mix. I also used Andes Peppermints in them, which are just devine! They are not overly powerful, but just the right hint of peppermint.
If you haven’t had my Cream Cheese Cookies n’ Cream cookies yet, be sure to order! Chopped up Oreos are placed into the batter that is creamy and soft due to a slight amount of cream cheese. They are a fantastic soft and chewy cookie! As always, if you’d like to order as a gift for someone this holiday season, please do so, or feel free to reach out to me directly. If you need desserts for your holiday gatherings this year, I’m always available to help! Happy Holidays! - Jenny from Jenny Sue Delights