A hearty "comfort food" soup

Nothing says “comfort food” like a hearty soup such as Beef Barley Soup. It is made with beef chuck roast but it is also a great way to use up left over Prime Rib from those “special occasion” dinners!! I hope you enjoy!!!

Beef Barley Soup
Serves 6-8 people

INGREDIENTS:
• 3 lbs beef chuck roast , trimmed and cut into ½ inch cubes put in bowl & seasoned with Salt & Pepper
• 2 TBS vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, minced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped fine
• 2 celery stalks with ribs, chopped fine
• ½ c dry red wine…the GOOD stuff!!
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp dry thyme
• 4 cups/32 oz beef broth
• 4 cups/32 oz chicken broth
• ¾ c pearl barley
• ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup dry dill (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Take the bite size pieces of beef and season generously with salt & pepper. Heat 2 tsp of vegetable oil in a 12 inch skillet over med-high heat until just smoking. Add “HALF” the meat to the skillet and cook..”without stirring”, until well browned on one side..about 4 minutes. Stir the meat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until completely browned, 5-7 minutes. Then transfer to soup pot and repeat process.
2. Now as the meat is simmering in the soup pot, add the onions & celery & ¼ tsp of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened about 4-6 mins. Next stir in the wine, scraping the bottom of the soup pot, and add carrots & stir. Then add tomatoes and thyme, bring to a boil.
3. Once boiling, add the chicken & beef broth and the pearl barley. Cover, and put on low and cook for about 1 to 1 ½ hours…check it!! The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that the meat is tender….don’t ever rush it!!!! And don’t ever boil soup thinking that it will cook faster!!!

*******After 1 1/2 hours the meat was still NOT tender so I continued cooking on a low heat, like you would with a slow cooker, for another 3 hours and then it was PERFECT!! Infact, it was even better the second day!!! ****

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