Classic Beef Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2/3 cup pearl barley
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced (optional, can use more I always do)
1 -2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional or to taste)
4 carrots (peeled and finely chopped)
2 celery ribs, diced
3 (10 1/2 ounce) cans beef consomme, undiluted
2 cups water
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted
1 -2 bay leaf
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

In a large Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with onion, garlic and thyme (if using) until meat is no longer pink.
Add the remaining ingredients to pot.
Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, adding salt and pepper to suit taste.