Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds beef stew meat
  • 1 onion (finely chopped)
  • 3 large carrots (cut into 3/4 inch pieces)
  • 3 stalks celery (sliced)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 8 cups beef broth
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 3/4 cup pearl barley
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place half of the meat in the pot in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until browned. Repeat with remaining meat. 
  • Remove the meat from the pot and cover to keep warm. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
  • At this point you can either leave the veggies in the pot to simmer with the beef, or remove the vegetables and add them back in later. It depends on whether you prefer softer or firmer vegetables in your soup.
  • Add the beef, beef broth, bay leaf and thyme to the pot. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 60 minutes or until beef is tender.
  • If you've reserved your vegetables, add them back in now. Add the barley and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until barley is tender.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.