Buendner Gerstensuppe (Barley Soup)

A classic Swiss Graubünden barley soup with smoked pork, pearl barley, and root vegetables — hearty alpine comfort food.

AmericanPorkAdvanced120 minBy Northstar

Ingredients

Servings
6
  • 2 whole onions, diced
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • 1 whole clove
  • 1 knob celery root, diced
  • 2 whole carrots, diced
  • 1 whole leek, sliced
  • 3 0.5 oz air-dried beef or smoked bacon, diced
  • 7 oz salted pork knuckle
  • 5 0.3 oz pearl barley
  • 0.5 cup dry white wine
  • 6 0.3 cup bouillon
  • 3 0.4 fl oz whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 7 oz lamb sirloin, diced
  • 2 tbsp clarified butter
  • 0 to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Brown the pork knuckle and diced bacon in a large pot.

  2. 2

    Add onions, celery root, carrots, and leek along with the bay leaf and clove; sauté until softened.

  3. 3

    Add pearl barley, white wine, and bouillon. Stir to combine.

  4. 4

    Simmer covered for 60–80 minutes until the barley is tender and pork is falling off the bone.

  5. 5

    Remove the pork knuckle, shred the meat, and return it to the pot.

  6. 6

    In a separate pan, sear the diced lamb sirloin in clarified butter until browned; add to the soup.

  7. 7

    Stir in whipping cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper.

  8. 8

    Serve hot.

Tags

soupporkheartybarleyswissalpinesoup-recipes-1