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Buendner Gerstensuppe (Barley soup)

Buendner Gerstensuppe (Barley soup) recipe image
This traditional Bündner Gerstensuppe is a comforting masterpiece from the Graubünden region, designed to warm you from the inside out. The dish boasts a beautiful contrast of textures: chewy pearl barley, tender chunks of air-dried beef, and silky slices of seared lamb. The broth is deep and savory, enriched by a salted pork knuckle and finished with a luxurious swirl of whipping cream and butter. Aromatics like leeks, carrots, celery, and marjoram provide a fresh, herbal backbone that cuts through the richness. Perfect for a cozy winter evening or a hearty lunch, this soup is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients simmered to perfection. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful stock.
Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description
This traditional Bündner Gerstensuppe is a comforting masterpiece from the Graubünden region, designed to warm you from the inside out. The dish boasts a beautiful contrast of textures: chewy pearl barley, tender chunks of air-dried beef, and silky slices of seared lamb. The broth is deep and savory, enriched by a salted pork knuckle and finished with a luxurious swirl of whipping cream and butter. Aromatics like leeks, carrots, celery, and marjoram provide a fresh, herbal backbone that cuts through the richness. Perfect for a cozy winter evening or a hearty lunch, this soup is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients simmered to perfection. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful stock.
Ingredients
  • 2 Onions, finely chopped
  • 1 dl Dry white wine (1/2 cup)
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 2 l Bouillon (8 cups)
  • 2 Cloves
  • 2 dl Whipping cream (7/8 cup)
  • 100 g Knob celery, diced (3.5 oz)
  • 70 g Butter, divided (2.5 oz)
  • 2 Carrots, diced
  • 2 Leeks, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced
  • 200 g Air-dried beef or smoked bacon, cut into small pieces (7 oz)
  • 160 g Lamb sirloin (5.6 oz)
  • 1 Salted pork knuckle, cooked, boned, and cut into small pieces
  • 100 g Pearl barley (3.5 oz)
  • To taste Salt
  • To taste Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Clarified butter (for searing lamb)
  • As needed Fresh parsley, chopped
  • As needed Fresh marjoram
Directions
  1. 1
    In a large saucepan, heat 30 g (1 oz) of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, diced celery, carrots, and sliced leeks. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. 2
    Add the pearl barley to the vegetables and stir to coat. Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for a minute to deglaze the pan.
  3. 3
    Add the bouillon, bay leaf, and the onion studded with cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. 4
    Add the air-dried beef (or bacon) and the boneless, cubed salted pork knuckle. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the barley is tender and the meats are cooked through.
  5. 5
    While the soup simmers, season the lamb sirloin with salt and pepper. Heat the clarified butter and the remaining 40 g (1.5 oz) of butter in a skillet over high heat. Sear the lamb on both sides until cooked to your liking (about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare). Remove from heat and let rest.
  6. 6
    Once the soup base is ready, stir in the whipping cream and the remaining butter. Season generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. Ensure the soup does not boil vigorously after adding the cream to prevent curdling.
  7. 7
    Slice the seared lamb thinly.
  8. 8
    Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls. Top with the thin slices of lamb.
  9. 9
    Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and garnish with fresh marjoram sprigs before serving.
Note

Storage: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove; do not boil vigorously after adding cream.

Substitutions: If you cannot find air-dried beef (Bündnerfleisch), smoked bacon or ham hocks work well. Lamb sirloin can be substituted with veal or even tender beef strips.

Variations: For a vegetarian version, omit all meats and use a rich vegetable stock. Add mushrooms for depth of flavor.

Tips: Make sure to skim any excess fat from the surface of the broth before adding the cream if you prefer a lighter soup. The bay leaf and clove-studded onion should be removed before serving.

Keywords: barley soup, swiss soup, gerstensuppe, hearty soup, winter comfort food, meat soup, lamb soup, beef soup, pearl barley, cream soup, traditional recipe, graubuenden cuisine, rustic soup, homemade broth, vegetable soup, pork knuckle
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