Wild Mushroom Barley Soup

A Black Oystercatcher chick.

Me, extremely excited, holding a chick.

It has been raining and overcast and in the 40s to low 50s for almost two weeks. This past week the sun finally made a grand appearance and just in time for me to go out into the field for three days. I got to spend three days in the glorious sunshiney, 70 degree weather out at Aialik Bay Ranger Station (ABRS), following around a grad student researcher and his assistant, taking pictures of them catching Black Oystercatcher chicks.

ABRS can only be reached by boat and is used by law enforcement rangers and other park personnel as a base camp out in the field. It's pretty rustic and pretty fantastic. There is usually running water fed by a near-by snow fed stream, but it was dried up when I was there. They use solar power and gas for electricity if they need it. The cabin has a kitchen, futon, table, and a loft with a few beds upstairs. There are also three weather ports for gear and sleeping. Going to the bathroom was the probably way too fascinating to me. You use a wag bag to do your business. Basically you line a bucket with this bag, do your business, and there's pooh powder in it that gellifies and desmells your poop. It also makes it non toxic so you can just throw it out (in its bag) in the regular trash. Crazy. No? Maybe that's just me. Oh well.

Anyways, aside from the facilities is just a Aialik Bay is just a gorgeous area. I'm actually convinced that it might be one of the beautiful places on Earth. With the researchers, we took a small skiff and went to a few different beaches to find Black Oystercatcher chicks and catch them. They would measure, weight, and tag the chicks to track their growth process before letting them go. My personal highlight was when I got to hold one. They were adorable.

Between the weather, scenery, and company I have to say it has been one of my favorites weeks thus far. I hope I get a chance to go out there again before the summer is over. 

The landing craft I took to get to ABRS.

Brian driving the skiff we used to get around.

A Black Oystercatcher pair. The one on the left is sitting on her eggs.

A Black Oystercatcher.

The cabin at the Aialik Bay Ranger Station.

The view from near the top of the cover where ABRS is. Fun fact: this photo and the next one were taken around 11pm.

One of the researchers walking through the meadow near ABRS. We went for a hike up there the first night I was there.

Seward.

Wild Mushroom Barely Soup

To preserve both wild and domestic mushrooms, thread onto long cotton strings and hang them to dry. This soup is robust and earthy and will bring warmth to the chilliest of days.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup dried or fresh wild mushrooms, morels or oyster mushrooms
1 cup barley
1/2 cup canola oil
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 cups minced fresh domestic mushrooms
6 cups homemade or canned chicken stock
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 cups heavy cream

If using dried wild mushrooms, soak them in hot water to cover for 30 minutes and drain.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the barley, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes over medium heat. Drain the barley and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic, tossing to coat the vegetables in oil. Add the domestic mushrooms. Cover with aluminum foil, placing foil right on the surface of the vegetables. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.

Slice the wild mushrooms, leaving any small ones whole. Add the cooked barley, wild mushrooms, stock, and lemon juice to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and heat just to boiling. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 to 6 servings