Beef & Barley Soup

Difficulty: easy Prep Time: More than 15 Minutes Total Time: More der an hour
1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 small carrot, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup barley, rinsed and uncooked
1 sprig thyme, chopped
1 lb beef, chopped
1 cup canned tomatoes, diced
5 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup green peas

Melt butter in a saucepan and add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, barley and thyme. Cook until onions are translucent and barley is making crackling sounds. Add beef and tomatoes (reserve juice), and cook for another 6-8 minutes. Add stock, peas and reserved juice and bring just to a boil; reduce heat immediately and simmer for 45 min-1 hr., until barley is tender.