2bleu's Beef Barley Soup (or Chicken Barley Soup)

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb beef sirloin steak, cubed small (or b or s chicken breast)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups beef broth (or chicken broth, we use better than bullion paste)
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped into large pieces
• 4 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• salt and black pepper, to taste

Recipe

• 1 preparing barley: like all grains, before cooking barley, rinse it thoroughly under running water and then remove any dirt or debris that you may find.
• 2 in a large dutch oven heat oil over medium heat, add meat and garlic. cook until meat is browned; drain if necessary.
• 3 stir in remaining ingredients. bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally until barley and carrots are tender and fully cooked.
• 4 season to taste with additional salt & black pepper and serve. notes: add more water if soup becomes too thick upon standing. pearl barley takes a minimum of 1 hour to cook, whereas hulled barley takes 1.5 hours or more.