by JP Shaw

Created on: November 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2009

There is nothing better or more hearty than a bowl of soup with all your favorite ingredients to help take off that winter chill. But for many of us who work, cooking can be time consuming. That is why making soup in a crock-pot is the only way to go. Toss in your ingredients, turn on your pot and leave it for the day!

One of my favorites is Beef Barley Vegetable with a Twist.

2 cans (large) Beef Barley by Campbell's

5 carrots

3 celery sticks

small bag of pot barley (bought bulk) at local supermarket

beef stock

1lb of hamburger

1 onion

2 cans or fresh (frozen) mixed vegetables

It's quite simple:

Brown your 1lb of hamburger in a frying pan first. Then put it aside.

Open and add your two cans of beef barley soup to your crock pot or stock pot.

Add three cans of water and mix.

Cut your onion, carrots (into slices or how you like it) and celery and add it.

Open your two cans or 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables.

Finally add your hamburger and beef stock for added flavor and turn on your crock pot to high and leave it.

The soup will take 3-5 hours to cook depending on your crock pot's temperature. If you are using a traditional stock pot then put your temperature at high to start, stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot, then lower the temperature after an hour to medium and let it simmer.

An hour before the soup is ready, add your pot barley and this will allow your soup to thicken. You can add as much or as little barley as you want depending your taste and choice.

Check for flavor. Add whatever spices you wish to add and before you know it, your soup is finished! Hearty and filling, this will for sure keep you and your guests warm in the tummy during a chilly winter day.

More Soups to help keep your warm during the winter with prep time 20 minutes or less:

Tortilla Soup

Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Super Soups

Creamy Broccoli Soup

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