1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan with a slotted spoon, reserving the oil in the pan, and set aside.

2. Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the pan and sweat for 4 minutes, until tender.

3. Add the thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper and stir to coat the vegetables.

4. Return the chicken to the pan and add the stock and pearl barley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer for 1 hour, until the barley is tender.

5. Stir in the vermouth and simmer for 2 minutes to heat through.

6. To serve, remove the bay leaves, ladle the soup into bowls, and top with the chopped parsley.

Variation:

Beef Barley

Sauté 3 pounds of beef short ribs in 2 table-spoons of vegetable oil until browned on all sides, add 10 cups of mineral or filtered water and bring to a boil reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, remove the beef ribs with a slotted spoon, reserving the stock, and when cool enough to handle, pull the meat from the bones and set aside, strain the stock to remove solids, remove surface oil, and reserve 8 cups. Proceed as directed to Step 4. Return the beef and stock to the pan and stir in the pearl barley. Continue with the recipe.