Classic Beef-Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2/3 cup pearl barley
1 1/2 lbs extra lean ground beef (I usually use beef bones from chuck or other roasts or steaks, with some meat left on them)
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 1/2 - 4 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can tomato soup
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
salt & pepper

Preparation

Brown ground meat or beef bones (I'll usually throw in a marrow bone too, for the great flavor), onion & garlic in skillet. Transfer meat mixture to crockpot; add barley & remaining ingredients. Cover & cook on high 1 hour then on low 5-6 hours.
This soup tastes just like the kind your Grandmother used to make. It's delicious -- .