Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) unsalted whole tomatoes undrained, cut into pieces
3/4 c. quick pearl barley or rice
5 1/2 c. water
1/2 c. sliced celery
1/2 c. sliced carrots
2 Beef Bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp. crushed basil
1 bay leaf
1 pkg. (9 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables

Preparation

Brown meat in Dutch oven.
Add onion & garlic till onion is tender.
Drain.
Stir in remaining ingredients except frozen vegetables.
Cover, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir occasionally.
Add frozen vegetables.
Cook for 10 minutes until vegetables are done.
Additional water may be added if it becomes too thick upon standing.