Miso Mushroom Broth
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Total: 40 mins
A nourishing soup to kick-start your new year, made with nutty pearl barley, earthy porcini mushrooms and sweet shredded cabbage, bubbled together in an umami-rich miso and tamari broth spiced with fresh turmeric.
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327 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
  • 12g dried porcini mushrooms
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 carrot
  • A thumb of turmeric
  • 75g pearl barley
  • ½ green cabbage
  • 40g brown rice miso
  • 1 tbsp tamari
From your kitchen
  • 1 tbsp olive, coconut or sunflower oil
  • 1 ltr boiling water
  • Freshly ground pepper
You'll need
  • Measuring jug
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Large pan with lid
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    Fill and boil your kettle. Tip the porcini mushrooms into a jug and cover them with boiling water. Set aside to soak for a few mins.

  • 2.

    Peel and finely chop the onion. Trim, peel and chop the carrot. Warm 1 tbsp oil in a large pan on a medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and fry, stirring often, for 6 mins till softened.

  • 3.

    While the veg fry, fill and boil the kettle again. Finely grate the turmeric (see our turmeric tip, overleaf). Drain the porcini mushrooms, discarding the liquid, and give them a squeeze. Pop them back into the jug and pour over 1 ltr hot water from the kettle.

  • 4.

    When the veg have cooked for 6 mins, add the turmeric and stir for 30 secs. Add the pearl barley to the pan, then pour in the porcini mushrooms and their soaking liquid. Pop a lid on the pan and simmer for 25 mins till the pearl barley is soft.

  • 5.

    While the soup is simmering, finely shred half the cabbage (see our tip, overleaf, for using the remaining half). After 25 mins, stir the brown rice miso into the broth with 1 tbsp tamari. Drop in the shredded cabbage and simmer for 2-4 mins till the cabbage has just softened.

  • 6.

    Taste the soup and add more tamari or some black pepper if you think it needs it. Ladle the soup into 2 warm bowls and serve.

  • Tip

    Mellow yellow
    Turmeric is a colourful customer, so prepare it on a glass board, or one you can wash up straight away. You can also wear gloves and an apron to keep your hands and clothes stain free.

  • Tip

    Keep calm & cabbage on
    Your extra cabbage half can be wrapped up and kept in the fridge for a couple of days. You can use it to make a warming, Scandi flavoured winter soup – find the recipe for our Swedish Cabbage & Caraway Soup over on abelandcole.co.uk/recipes/

  • Tip

    Eat & keep
    The soup will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer. Divide it into smaller portions, cool completely then chill or freeze. Defrost overnight and reheat till piping hot, adding a splash more water or stock if needed.

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