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1
Prepare vegetables.
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2
Peel onions and chop coarsely; you should have about 1 1/2 c.. Peel and mince garlic.
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3
Pare turnips and potatoes, then cut into 1/2-inch dice; you should have about 1 1/2 c. turnips and 1 c. potatoes.
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4
Wipe mushrooms clean with damp paper toweling; cut into thick slices for about 1 1/2 c.. Pare carrots; cut into 1/4 inch slices for about 2 1/2 c..
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5
Trim spinach and rinse well in several changes of lukewarm water; cut or possibly tear into 2-inch pcs for about 3 c..
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6
Heat butter in large heavy saucepan over medium heat.
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7
When foam subsides, add in onion and garlic; saute/fry till softened, 2-3 min.
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8
Add in turnips, potatoes, mushrooms and carrots; cook, stirring frequently, about 3 min.
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9
Add in stock; increase heat to medium-high.
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10
Heat to boiling.
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11
Add in barley shapes; reduce heat to low.
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12
Simmer soup, covered, till vegetables are crisp-tender, 8-10 min.
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13
Add in spinach, salt, and pepper to taste to soup.
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14
Simmer, covered, till vegetables are tender, about 5 min.
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15
Meanwhile, heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat to rippling.
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16
Add in kielbasa; saute/fry, stirring frequently, till browned all over, 3-5 min.
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17
Remove with slotted spoon to paper toweling to drain.
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18
Add in kielbasa to soup; adjust seasoning to taste, if necessary.
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19
Ladle soup into warmed individual soup bowls; sprinkle with parsley.
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20
Serve immediately, with grated Parmesan on the side, if you like.
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21
TIP: Toasted barley shapes, a pasta product, can be found in the dry pasta section of supermarkets.
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22
If they are not available, pastina can be substituted.
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23
(I have also simmered longer and used pearl barley.)
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24
MICROTIP: Microwave 3 Tbsp.
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25
butter in 3-qt casserole on high power till melted, about 2 min.
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26
Add in onion and garlic; microwave, uncovered, 2 min, stirring once.
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27
Add in turnips, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots; microwave, uncovered, 4 min, stirring once.
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28
Add in stock; microwave, covered, till mix boils, about 7 min.
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29
Stir; add in barley shapes.
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30
Microwave, covered, about 5 min, stirring once.
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31
Add in spinach, salt and pepper to taste; microwave, covered, 1 minute.
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32
Stir, then let stand 5 min.
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33
Meanwhile, microwave 1 Tbsp.
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34
oil in microwave-safe 9-inch pie plate on high power 2 min.
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35
Add in kielbasa; microwave, stirring once, about 4 min.
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36
Remove with slotted spoon to paper toweling to drain.
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37
Add in kielbasa to soup; let soup stand, covered, about 5 min.
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38
Serve soup as directed above.
