Beef Barley Veggie Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes
1 lb lean ground beef
1 (32 ounce) box beef broth
2 cups water
1 large stalk celery, diced
3/4 cup medium barley
1 (15 ounce) can mixed vegetables, drained
salt and pepper

Preparation

Saute onion and garlic in oil.
Add to blender with tomatoes and blend.
Saute ground beef over medium high heat until brown, then drain off fat.
Add celery, tomatoes, broth, water and barley.
Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Add vegetables and simmer another 15 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
If it becomes too thick, add 1 more 15oz can beef broth.