There was a poor but pious little girl who lived alone with her widowed mother, and they ate very little during the week. Shabbos was coming and the little girl wished for something special to eat on the holy day. She went into the forest with a prayer on her lips where she met a strange old woman. The old woman was gathering herbs and she knew what troubled the little girl. She called to the little girl and gave her a little pot, which when she said, “Kleyna tawp Kuchen (Little pot, cook),” would cook good, savoury Mushroom Barley soup, and when she said, “Kleyna tawp halt’n (little pot, stop),” it stopped cooking.

The girl took the pot home to her mother, and now they were freed from their poverty and hunger, and ate the savoury soup as often as they chose.

One time when the girl had gone out, her mother said, “Kleyna tawp Kuchen.” The little pot cooked, and she ate until she was full, and then she wanted the pot to stop cooking, but did not know the word. So it went on cooking and the soup rose over the edge of the pot, and still it cooked on until the kitchen and whole house were full, and then the next house, and then the whole street, just as if it wanted to satisfy the hunger of the whole world. No one knew how to stop it. At last when only one single house remained, the child came home and just said, “Kleyna tawp halt’n,” and it stopped cooking, and anyone who was in need gratefully ate some of the savoury Mushroom Barley Soup.

Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup (Pareve or Meat)

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Sauté the Vegetables: While the barley cooks, warm the olive oil in a stockpot or large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add the mushrooms and cook uncovered, sautéing occasionally, until the mushrooms release their juices and turn soft, about 5 minutes more.

Add water to the sautéed vegetables (or chicken stock to the pot) raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the barley to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for about 60 t0 90 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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