OM NOM NOM! Autumn is a great reason to make soups. Our copy of The Moosewood Cookbook easily falls open to the Mushroom Barley Soup recipe, the page bespattered from loving batches made over the years. If you are in the mood, add porcini - rehydrate, add the liquid and chop the mushrooms - for a robust umami taste. Remember that a recipe is just a suggestion.
I grilled some sourdough bread slices and topped them with mozzarella to go with the soup. So good.