09 January 2011

Beef Barley Soup

I was going to submit this recipe for Corn Chowder with Chilies recipe from the Pioneer Woman. Except I didn't put the chipotle peppers cause I like to make food that my kids can eat.

Anyway, that's not my entry, because tonight I made this super yummy beef barley soup. Everyone loved it, except for Caleb of course, who thinks onions are the worst. Weird kid. Apparently Shane was the same way, so I get to blame him for the trouble. He didn't start eating onions until he was in his 20's. Is that not the weirdest thing you've ever heard?

Anyway. Here's the recipe...

1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
1.5 lb. beef
1 medium onion
8 c. beef broth
3/4 c. pearl barley
3 carrots
8 oz. frozen peas
4 oz. mushrooms
salt and pepper
(the beef, carrots, onions and mushrooms should all be cut up into bite-sized pieces)

1. Heat the butter and oil in a dutch oven over medium heat and add beef. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on beef.
2. Cook the beef for about 6 minutes and then put in a separate bowl.
3. Add onion with a little more salt to the pot and cook until tender.
4. Add beef back to the pot along with the broth and barley.
5. Simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Add veggies and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Taste and add salt if needed.

Serve with bread.

I'm sorry I didn't take a picture. There were leftovers so I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow and add it.

4 comments:

Joanna said...

This sounds really good Marie! Except, does it count if I don't put the peas in. Peas are anathema in our house. Unless they are eaten frozen by the kids. Weird kids. And I didn't start eating onions until I was in my 20's either. I started eating them because Del liked them and because I felt that if I wanted to advance to something other than "beginner" in the kitchen, I needed to accept the fact that onions are tasty. AND THEY ARE!!!

Unknown said...

haha! Yes, you can omit the peas. The recipe I used actually called for parsnips and I've never cooked or eaten them so it sounded scary. Green beans would probably be good as a replacement. Or if you have a better suggestion, let me know.

I also wanted to note that this makes a lot of soup, so if you are only cooking for two (Leah), you might want to make only half the recipe.

Also, it calls for a lot of beef broth and I've found that one of the cheapest places to get broth is, surprisingly, Whole Foods. They sell 4 cup containers for $1.99. And their chicken broth is actually on sale right now for $1.69.

Leah said...

I also wouldn't touch onions until I was in my 20s and now I just loooove them. I actually don't eat beef, but maybe I'll make this for my husband. He can eat it all week for lunch or something :)

Joanna said...

Rachel has requested that I make this again. So, see, it was popular in my house.