Mushroom Barley Soup with Kale

boiling water

dried mushrooms

large yellow onion, chopped

Crimini mushrooms, cleaned, stems trimmed and cut into thick slices

Portobello mushroom cap, cleaned, stem trimmed and chopped

garlic, minced

shallot, minced

olive oil

kosher salt, separated (or more to taste)

fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

pearl barley, uncooked, rinsed

vegetable broth

head of kale, Lacinato aka Dinosaur, cleaned and stemmed, sliced into ribbons then cut across - see below for instructions

!A bouquet garni made of:

few stems of flat leaf parsley

few sprigs fresh thyme

small sprig fresh rosemary

Bay Leaf

to 3 whole black peppercorns

Parmesan rind