Beef Barley Soup 😃

This is today's version of one of my favorite all time soup creations, modeled after an old Campbell's soup called Scotch Broth. A simple beef barley type soup - but made with lamb. What a difference that makes! Lamb is a little like elk and venison with a stronger flavor that people seem to either love or hate. 

I started by partially thawing what looked like a beef roast I bought last fall in an International Market in the cities, but the label says Beef Knuckle! Strange, since it's boneless, but the meat looks like round steak only much thicker.

I cut off the fat, leaving 20oz. of meat that was mixed with part of a purple onion, finely chopped in a big pot with equal parts EVOO and Marsala cooking wine - about 3oz. each. Seasoned with my blend of finely ground black+cayenne, and a little garlic salt. After mixing, I let it marinate about an hour and a half.

Meanwhile, the vegetables shown in this photo were sliced or chopped. Heat the meat to sizzling, for about 15 minutes, stirring often, then add the celery and carrot pieces, which take longer to cook than the rest.

Bring everything in the pot to a sizzle again, cover and cook for another 15 minutes. Add a little water if needed.

Next chop half a green pepper and half a large purple onion and add those to the pot along with an undrained 28oz. can of petite diced tomatoes, 2 big spoonsful of low sodium beef Better Than Bouillon and a couple cups of water.

Bring this to a simmer then add 3/4c of long cooking barley that was rinsed several times, along with chopped celery greens and more water if needed.

Cover and simmer 40 minutes, or until the barley is done, if you're having the soup right away. If not, only simmer once the barley is added, for about 20 minutes, chill and reheat later. This turns the barley into resistant starch which is a much healthier option than when it's just been cooked.

Barley absorbs a LOT of liquid. You may have to add more water, and seasonings when you heat this or it could go from soup to a beef-vegetable-barley casserole. . .but that can be a good option too. .😉. .Lin