Crock Pot Beef And Barley Soup

• 1 1/2 lbs round steaks, cubed (*)
• 2 cups leeks, chopped
• 1 cup potato, diced (I like white)
• 2 cups carrots, chopped
• 4 -5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (or salt substitute)
• 1 teaspoon dried sage (finely crushed)
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme (finely crushed)
• 2 large bay leaves (or three small)
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 6 cups low sodium beef broth (**)
• 3 cups water
• 1 1/4 cups pearl barley

1. All ingredients except the barley can go directly into the crock pot.
2. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 6-7 hours.
3. Add barley last hour.
4. Add more water if needed.
5. Don't forget to remove bay leaves before serving!
6. * I brown my meat first but that is a personal preference. I also trim every bit of fat that I can see the keep the calorie count down.
7. ** I use a homemade beef broth that is low sodium.

leeks, potato, carrots, garlic, salt, sage, thyme, bay leaves, fresh coarse ground black pepper, beef broth, water, pearl barley

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-beef-and-barley-soup-255973 (may not work)