Melanie'S Beef Barley Soup

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, diced into 1 inch pieces
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
• 4 small red potatoes, cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup barley

1. Season beef stew chunks with salt and pepper to taste. Place seasoned beef in a large soup pot. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and saute for 5 minutes on high heat. Remove meat. Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to pot and add onions, carrots and mushrooms. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and thyme to pot and saute for 3 more minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth and 3 cups of water to pot. Add the frozen mixed vegetables, potatoes and barley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir all together and bring to a boil. Cover pot, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

beef stew meat, salt, vegetable oil, onion, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, chicken broth, water, mixed vegetables, red potatoes, barley

Taken from www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13451/melanies-beef-barley-soup/ (may not work)