This soup is so good you might have to triple the recipe to have enough leftovers to freeze. It freezes well, though you may want to add a splash of soy and sherry.From: You CAN Cook After the Baby Comes! Favorite, Quick and Easy Recipes for Postpartum Families
Mix barley in 1½ cups of water, bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, until tender (20-30 minutes for polished barley, 1 ½ hours for unpolished).
Meanwhile, sauté onions and garlic in butter until translucent, add mushrooms and continue to sauté until the juices of the mushroom are released.
When barley is ready, add the rest of the water (5 cups), soy sauce and sherry. Add the onions, garlic and mushrooms to the barley and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chicken (optional) and heat thoroughly.