Creamy Mushroom, Barley And Lima Bean Soup

Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 portabella mushroom (two small or one big one)
• 8 ounces button mushrooms (small package)
• 1 carrot (medium size)
• 3 cups beef stock (can or beef cubes)
• 1/4 cup barley
• 2 tablespoons margarine (or butter)
• 2 tablespoons basil leaves (fresh basil finely chopped)
• 1/8 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/8 teaspoon mrs. dash seasoning mix
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1/4 cup lima beans (frozen)
• 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
• 1/4 cup bristol cream, harveys
• 1/4 lb swiss cheese
• 1/4 cup basil (slightly chopped) or 1/4 cup arugula leaf (slightly chopped)

Recipe

• 1 preparation:.
• 2 cut the stems off the portabella mushrooms, slice into ¼ inch thin pieces and then cut each in half, set aside.
• 3 clean the button mushrooms and slice into big pieces, set aside.
• 4 clean the carrot and then cut into diagonal slices, set aside.
• 5 cut into thin slices the swiss cheese and set aside.
• 6 cooking instructions:.
• 7 this recipe is based on using a slow cooking crock pot set to 4 hours, high/fast cooking and will depend on you model crock pot; step #1, 2 hours cooking time, step #2, 1 1/2 hours cooking time and step #3, ½ hours cooking time.
• 8 step #1- in a crock pot add the stock, barley, portabella mushrooms, carrots , margarine, 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil leaves, sage, thyme, garlic salt, mrs. dash, pinch of pepper, a quick stir and cook for 2 hours.
• 9 step #2- next add the button mushrooms and lima beans, a quick stir and cook for 1 ½ hours.
• 10 step #3- next add the half & half cream, harvey’s bristol cream, a quick stir and cook for ½ hour.
• 11 ladle soup into individual bowls, topped with some swiss cheese and place in a microwave for about 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
• 12 finally add some chopped basil/arugula leaves on top of each individual bowl and serve.
• 13 enjoy!
• 14 notes:.
• 15 you can serve this soup with a bowl of sour cream on the side and allow guests to add to their soup as desired.
• 16 this soup can be served for as a main meal in the evening or for a hearty nice lunch as well.