Krupenya with Mushrooms and Barley
Krupenya is a hearty and flavorful Belarusian dish, often described as a thick porridge or soup, traditionally made with barley or millet. This version features the earthy notes of dried mushrooms, combined with vegetables and barley, creating a comforting and nourishing meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 25 g Dried white mushrooms
- 2.5 liters Water
- 3 medium Potatoes
- 2 medium Onion
- 1 medium Carrot
- 100 g Pearl barley (or buckwheat groats)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp Fresh dill, chopped
- 100 g Sour cream(for serving)
- to taste Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the dried mushrooms and place them in a pot. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over them and let them soak for 15 minutes. Then, drain the mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Cut the rehydrated mushrooms into strips.
- 2
Strain the mushroom soaking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any grit. Add 1.5 cups of this liquid to a pot, along with the remaining water (totaling 2.5 liters). Bring to a boil, then add the pearl barley and simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the barley is tender.
- 3
While the barley is cooking, peel and dice the potatoes, finely chop the onion, and cut the carrot into thin strips (julienne).
- 4
Add the diced potatoes to the pot with the barley and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- 5
In a frying pan, heat the butter and vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrot, and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the sliced rehydrated mushrooms to the pan and cook for another 10 minutes.
- 6
Add the sautéed vegetables and mushrooms to the pot with the barley and potatoes. Season with salt to taste. Simmer everything together for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- 7
Remove the krupenya from the heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- 8
Stir in the chopped fresh dill. Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream on the side.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If you cannot find pearl barley, buckwheat groats (kasha) can be used as an alternative.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use mushroom broth instead of water for part of the liquid.
- ✓Ensure the dried mushrooms are thoroughly rinsed to remove any grit.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other root vegetables like parsnip or celery root.
- For a non-vegetarian version, small pieces of smoked pork or beef can be added and cooked with the vegetables.
- A pinch of black pepper can be added for a slight kick.