Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

As a kid, my Dad's beef barley soup was one of my favorite meals. Barley, when cooked, adds a nice creaminess to soup The end result is a very comforting and satisfying first course or meal. This recipe, designed for a slow cooker, is easy to prepare in the morning. When you come home, just add some crusty bread and a salad, and dinner is ready in a few minutes, with clean-up a breeze.

Add vegetables and broth to browned beef , cover and go to work.

Ingredients:
1 pound cubed stew beef
1/2 onion diced
2 carrots diced
1 stalk celery diced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 clove garlic mined
4 cups beef or chicken broth
2 cups water
1/2 cup barley
1/2 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper

Dust beef in flour, then brown in 1 Tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Chop vegetables and add to slow cooker with broth and water. Stir in beef and spices. Cover and set the cooker on low 8 - 10 hours. Serve and enjoy.