SLOW COOKER BEEF BARLEY SOUP

SLOW COOKER BEEF BARLEY SOUP

Yield: Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 pounds stew meat (nicely marbled beef chunks)
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 10 cups water
  • 3 mounded tablespoons good quality beef base*
  • 3 stalks celery (about 2 cups), chopped
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large potato, peeled and shredded, about 2 cups
  • 3-4 large carrots, peeled and shredded, about 2 cups
  • 1 cup barley, rinsed

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Generously salt and pepper the beef. In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  2. When it is very hot, add about 1/3 of the meat. Brown for about 1-2 minutes, then turn to brown the other side. Remove to a plate when it is browned on all sides.
  3. Repeat with remaining meat in 2 more batches. (If you add it all at once it will steam the meat instead of browning it–not what you want.)
  4. When all the meat is browned, add all the meat back to the pot with 10 cups of water. Add 3 healthy tablespoons beef stock concentrate.
  5. Add the chopped celery, onions, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 2 hours with the lid on …