Certainly! Beef and barley soup is a hearty and comforting dish. Here’s a basic recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) stewing beef, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups beef broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced beef and brown on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the beef broth, and add back the browned beef. Stir in the rinsed barley, diced tomatoes (with their juice), dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Feel free to customize the recipe to your liking. You can add more vegetables, herbs, or spices according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious beef and barley soup!
