Cream Of Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/3 c. pearl barley
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 small, smoked ham hock
4 c. water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 small bay leaf
1/4 tsp. thyme
4 Tbsp. instant mashed potatoes
1 c. milk
2 Tbsp. flour

Preparation

Combine first eight ingredients in crock-pot.
Cook on low 4 to 5 hours.
Remove ham hock and bay leaf; discard.
Add potatoes. Mix milk slowly into flour and add to soup (or omit milk and flour and add 1/2 cup cream).
Cook on high for 15 minutes. Yields 6 servings.