Hearty Beef & Barley Soup – Recipe

Ingredients:

• 500g beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef pieces and brown on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
2. Cook veggies: In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Combine ingredients: Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, water, diced tomatoes (if using), pearl barley, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley. Stir well.
4. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let it simmer gently for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until beef is tender and barley is cooked.
5. Season: Remove Bay leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Serve: Ladle into bowls and enjoy warm with some crusty bread.