Here's a hearty and comforting recipe for Beef & Barley Soup. This dish is rich and flavorful, perfect for cold days.
Ingredients:
1 lb beef stew meat, cut into small cubes
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
6 cups beef broth (low sodium if preferred)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Brown the Beef: Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and brown on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms (if using). Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Simmer: Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, diced tomatoes, barley, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
4. Cook the Soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until the beef is tender and barley is cooked through.
5. Season and Serve: Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Tips:
For extra flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of red wine when adding the broth.
This soup keeps well and may even taste better the next day! Just add a bit more broth when reheating if it thickens.
Enjoy your warm, cozy bowl of beef & barley soup!