Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Beef, Barley, and Vegetable Soup

Tonight's main dish is Beef, Barley and Vegetable Soup. The version we're having tonight uses browned carne picada leftover from last night. It's in the slow cooker now and already smells great! I'd love to have some homemade bread sticks or hot water cornbread with it but those are just too high in carbs, especially since the soup has barley and potato in it. Instead, we'll have it with a nice salad and freshly made dressing.

So, here's how I make Denise's Slow Cooked Beef, Barley, and Vegetable Soup:

1 cup beef (ground beef, stew beef, and carne picada all work well), browned
1/4 cup barley (I normally use regular but am using quick cooking in this)
1 cup beef stock or beef bouillon dissolved in hot water
2 cups Ro-tel tomatoes or other tomatoes (V8 juice is great, too)
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 or 5 carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
red potatoes, chopped (turnips can be used, too)
1 or 2 seasonal squash, chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen green beans
chopped garlic to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
juice of one large lemon (this is a great salt substitute in soups/stews but use salt if you prefer)
Any other vegetables languishing in the fridge

Put all ingredients** in the slow cooker and cook on Low for about 8 hours or on High for 5 hours.

**Since I'm using quick cooking barley it won't go in until about an hour before the cooking time is up but if I use regular barley, it goes in at the beginning.

This is a very hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soup and the leftovers are great for lunch the next day. If you don't care to eat the leftover soup as is, thicken it with a little corn starch or flour for a great pot pie filling or just top the thickened soup with cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. Yumm!

6 comments:

Grannie K said...

This looks great! I'm going to try it tomorrow. My Saturdays are always crazy so I love throwing things in the crock pot and having dinner cook while I'm doing all the other stuff I get to do.

Bouncing Back said...

I make a similar version of this soup. My grandfather used to make it for me and it's the ultimate comfort food for me even now as an adult.

CookinsForMe said...

Grannie K, did you ever try the soup?

And Bouncing Back, how does your recipe differ? I'm always up for improvements. :)

Anonymous said...

Yum! I really wanted to pin this recipe on Pinterest, but you don't have a picture :(

CookinsForMe said...

No, no picture of it but if I make it again soon, and I will since the weather is getting cooler, I'll take one just for you. ;)

Anonymous said...

This sounds delicious & healthy! Do you have any idea if I replaced the barley with quinoa how long I need to cook it for? Would it be comparable to the barley?