by Pamela Kay

Created on: July 29, 2008

When Old Man Winter chases you indoors, nothing warms you up like a hot bowl of beef barley soup. Start this soup in the morning and let it simmer all day on the back of the stove or in a crock-pot, or if youre short of time, try the quick version. Serve it up hot with corn fritters or a crusty bread and be prepared to serve seconds.

*Old Fashioned Beef Barley Soup*

2 tbs. oil
2 tbs. flour
1 1/2 pounds stew beef, cubed
2 onions chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms
6 cups beef broth
2 cups diced tomatoes
2 cups potatoes, diced
1 cup green beans or green peas
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 tbs. parsley
1 tbs. basil
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup barley

Add oil to a large stew pot or Dutch oven, and place on medium high heat.
Batter cubed beef well and add to hot oil. Cook until browned on all sides.
Add onion, garlic and mushrooms and saute until tender.
Add next ten ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and allow to simmer slowly all day.
Add barley and simmer for 30 minutes more. Remove bay leaf.
Serve piping hot with your favorite cheese grated on top.

*Quick Beef Barley Soup*

1 pound stir fry beef
2 tbs. flour
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 potato, diced
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup quick-cooking barley

Add oil to a stew pot and place on med-high heat.
Cut stir-fry beef strips into pieces, roll in flour and add to hot oil.
Stir for 4 minutes and add onion, mushrooms and garlic. Saute until tender.
Add next five ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add barley and simmer for 15 minutes more.
Serve hot with corn fritters or crusty bread.

Whether you use the slow cook or quick recipe for beef barley soup, your family will ask for seconds. It's the ultimate comfort food when the weather turns raw and cold. These soups are also good with a dollop of sour cream on top.

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