Ultimate Beef and Barley Soup

Ultimate Beef and Barley Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 8 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Brown the Beef:
   • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the beef stew meat and brown on all sides.
   • Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, celery, and mushrooms.
   • Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
3. Add the Broth and Barley:
   • Return the browned beef to the pot.
   • Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, pearl barley, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
   • Stir to combine.
4. Simmer:
   • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
   • Cover and simmer for 1-1.5 hours, or until the beef and barley are tender. Stir occasionally.
5. Season:
   • Remove the bay leaves.
   • Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve:
   • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
   • Enjoy this hearty and nourishing Ultimate Beef and Barley Soup!

Additional Information:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1.5 hours
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Calories: 350 kcal per serving
• Servings: 6 servings