Oh my goodness I love soup. And I love this season when soup abounds. Any night of the week you can throw things into a pot for a quick, easy, hearty, and delicious meal.
I actually know people who have never made soup before. Can you believe it? When it’s the simplest thing on earth to do?? Now, for sure I have a few recipes that are a bit involved, but for the most part I just look at what is in my freezer and refrigerator and begin from there. Usually I get a pretty darn good soup.
Beef & Barley Soup
1 lb. ground beef, browned and *drained
1/4 cup diced onion
1 T garlic powder, divided
1/2 cup frozen lima beans
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can of diced tomatoes with juices
1/2 cup quick barley
1 (32 oz) carton chicken or beef broth
1/2 tsp thyme
salt & pepper
1. Brown ground meat with 1/2 T of the garlic powder. You can use ground turkey or chicken, but the beef gives off so much flavor. *Since I rarely use ground beef I completely forgot to drain the fat before I threw it all into the crock pot. I have to admit it lent the soup some great extra flavor but most people don’t want the heartburn that goes along with it. Here’s a tip: I’m sure you already knew that adding a bit of baking soda will cut the acidity in tomato sauce, but did you know it also cuts the grease from meat drippings?? I kid you not!
2. Throw all the ingredients, except for the barley, into a crock pot and set on low for several hours. Add the barley about an hour or so before meal time. It’s not a science. It won’t get yucky the way pasta does. Salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add any other seasonings or veggies you would like.
Enjoy 
