Beef And Barley Soup With Mushrooms For The Crock Pot

---

This is a hearty soup. serve with crusty bread and a tossed salad for the perfect meal! variation: instead of finishing the soup with sour cream and dill, ladle into ovenproof bowls. Place a slice or two of a baguette in each bowl. sprinkle liberally with shredded swiss cheese and broil for 2 to 3 minutes.

---

Steps

---

In a heatproof bowl , soak dried mushrooms in boiling water for 30 minutes , then strain through a fine sieve , reserving liquid.

---

Chop mushrooms finely and set aside.

---

In a skillet , heat oil over medium heat.

---

Add beef and cook , stirring , until lightly browned.

---

Using a slotted spoon , transfer to slow cooker.

---

Add onions , celery and carrots to pan and cook , stirring until softened.

---

Add garlic , salt , peppercorns , thyme and bay leaf and cook , stirring for 1 minute.

---

Add barley and stir until coated.

---

Stir in tomato paste , beef broth and reserved mushroom liquid and bring to a boil.

---

Transfer to slow cooker.

---

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

---

Discard bay leaf.

---

Ladle into bowls and garnish with sour cream and dill.

---

Ingredients

---

dried wild mushrooms, boiling water, vegetable oil, stewing beef, onions, celery, carrots, garlic cloves, salt, black peppercorns, dried thyme leaves, bay leaf, pearl barley, tomato paste, beef broth, sour cream, fresh dill