Tasty beef and barley soup

SERVING SIZE: 6-8

PREP TIME: 20 mins

COOK TIME: 2 hrs

TOTAL TIME: 2 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1large brown onion, diced

500 grams chuck beef, diced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 leek finely sliced

1 cup red wine

1 teaspoon paprika

salt and pepper to taste

200 grams sliced mushrooms

10 cups water

2 carrots diced

2 celery stalks finely diced

1x400g tinned chopped tomatoes

1 cup peas

3 small potatoes diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup fresh chopped rosemary

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup pearl barley

Method

Place half the oil in a large saucepan and cook the meat till it browns , will take about 20 mins

Remove the meat from the saucepan and set aside

Place remaining oil in the saucepan , add the onions, garlic, leek, celery, carrots and cook till soft and all moisture has evaporated then add the mushrooms and all the herbs , keep cooking till mushrooms are soft

Put the meat back into the saucepan , add the water, tomato paste, tinned tomatoes, peas, potatoes, barley , wine , salt and pepper bring to the boil and then simmer gently for about 1.5 hrs till vegetables are cooked and meat is tender , taste for salt and pepper

Once cooked serve with fresh crusty bread , absolutely delicious!!