Grisons Barley Soup or Bündner Gerstensuppe

Recipe: Grisons Barley Soup, Recipe 1
This barley soup makes a complete meal, in particular if it is being served along with a large slice of farmhouse bread.

100 grams of pearl barley
200 grams of diced bacon
bacon rinds or possibly 1 ham bone
2 carrots
1 celeriac (the leafs may also be used)
1 leek
2 liters of water 
some oil, salt and nutmeg
Cut the vegetables into small dices, the leek into fine strips and slightly steam both with the diced bacon in some oil. Extinguish with hot water, stir in barley and bring it to boil. Add bacon rinds or ham bone and let it simmer, stirring occasionally (for approx. 2 hours).
Taste 10 minutes before serving, and add salt and nutmeg, if necessary.

 

Recipe: Grisons Barley Soup, Recipe 2
100 grams of pearl barley, soak in water over night

2 tbsp. of butter
1 leek, cut in fine slices
1/4 celeriac, diced
2 carrots, diced
1/4 savoy, cut into strips 
1 1/2 liters of water
100 grams of salted bacon
200 grams of smoked pork meat
200 grams of smoked beef

2 potatoes, diced

3 tbsp. of cream, salt, pepper
2 tbsp. of chive, chopped

Drain the barley's soaking water. Melt the butter, slightly steam vegetables in it, and add barley. Extinguish with fresh water. Add meat. Boil for approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes. Add potatoes.
Boil for another minute. Lightly spice before serving (the meat is already salted!), stir in cream, cut the meat into slices and spread soup with chives.
Serve along with black bread.