Melanie'S Beef Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 pounds beef stew meat, diced into 1 inch pieces
salt and pepper to taste
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
3 cups water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
4 small red potatoes, cut into chunks
1/2 cup barley

Preparation

Season beef stew chunks with salt and pepper to taste. Place seasoned beef in a large soup pot. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and saute for 5 minutes on high heat. Remove meat. Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to pot and add onions, carrots and mushrooms. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and thyme to pot and saute for 3 more minutes.
Add the chicken broth and 3 cups of water to pot. Add the frozen mixed vegetables, potatoes and barley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir all together and bring to a boil. Cover pot, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.