Mushroom Chicken Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 qt. water
3 lb. chicken pieces
1 1/2 c. sliced celery
1 1/2 c. sliced carrots
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 lb. fresh mushrooms
3/4 c. barley

Preparation

Combine all ingredients except the mushrooms and barley. Cover and simmer 1 hour until the chicken is tender.
Remove the meat from the bones and cut into pieces.
Return the chicken, vegetables and the reserved broth to the pan with the mushrooms and barley.
Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat about 40 minutes until the barley is tender.
Remove bay leaf before serving.