Beef and Vegetable Barley Soup

For some reason, I am on a soup kick this week. I think the colder temperatures make me really crave it. I also think soup is really easy to whip up for an easy weeknight supper. I wanted to try a soup with beef because I realized that I post a lot of recipes for turkey, pork, and chicken, but not a lot of beef. This recipe is great because you get your grains, protein, and vegetables all in one bowl. :) This soup can be ready in an hour or you can cook it in your crockpot and let it simmer on low all day.

This soup is great all by itself but a homemade grilled cheese compliments it wonderfully. Just make sure you use whole wheat bread and reduced fat cheese if you are wanting it to be a healthy side dish.

Beef and Vegetable Barley Soup
Serves 8 (1 cup servings)

Ingredients:
3/4 cup carrots - chopped
1/2 cup celery - chopped
1/2 cup sweet yellow onion - chopped
1 tablespoon light butter
4 cups reduced sodium beef broth
2 cups of water
1 can diced tomatoes
1 pound beef - I use lean ground beef but stew meat or leftover steak would work fine also
3/4 cup barley - can be quick-cook barley if you wish
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons black pepper (use less if you don't want it spicy)
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Directions:
-In a nonstick skillet, season and brown your ground beef and drain well. Set aside.
-In a large skillet, melt butter on medium heat.
-Add carrots, celery, and onions and saute for 4-5 minutes.
-In a large stock pot or dutch oven, add the sauteed veggie mix, along with the beef broth, water, tomatoes, cooked ground beef, barley, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and garlic and stir together, making sure to mix it real good.
-Bring the pot of soup to a boil on high heat
-Once the soup is boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for an hour. Stir occasionally. Taste halfway through cooking to see if any additional seasonings need added. Season accordingly.

Suggestions:
*if using quick-cook barley, add the barley about 20-25 minutes before the soup is done. It takes a lot less time than regular barley to cook.
*feel free to add additional veggies if you want and substitute ground turkey if you don't like beef.

Enjoy! :)