Classic Beef-Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup pearl barley
• 1 1/2 lbs extra lean ground beef (I usually use beef bones from chuck or other roasts or steaks, with some meat left on them)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 4 carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced

• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 1/2-4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water

• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can tomato soup
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• salt & pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Brown ground meat or beef bones (I'll usually throw in a marrow bone too, for the great flavor), onion & garlic in skillet. Transfer meat mixture to crockpot; add barley & remaining ingredients. Cover & cook on high 1 hour then on low 5-6 hours.

2. 2

   This soup tastes just like the kind your Grandmother used to make. It's delicious -- .