Mushroom and Barley Soup - Kidney Kitchen

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup barley
• 2 generous tablespoons porcini or other mushrooms, dried
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound fresh cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 8 cups beef broth or water
• ¼ cup Italian parsley, minced
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste (Optional)
• 2 teaspoons salt (Optional)