Recipe for Beefy Mushroom and Barley Soup.

There is nothing like a nice hot bowl of soup on a cold winter's night!  This is a hearty soup. Hope you enjoy it! Recipe is for cooking in slow cooker.

1 1/2 lbs. beef bottom round steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 inch cubes.
(if you like, you can use stew meat, which is already cut up)
5 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms( whatever kind you prefer. about 10 total)
3 medium carrots, sliced(about 1-1/2 cups)
Celery( about 1 to 1-1/2 cups)
2 lg garlic gloves, chopped( you can subtitute 1 tbsp store bought chopped garlic, in a jar)
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
5-1/4 cups  beef flavored broth (from 2- 32oz cartons
1/2 cup dry sherry(optional)
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4tsp. pepper.

1. Spray 5 to 6 qt. slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix all ingredients
2. Cover; cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours. Stir before serving

This is a very simple recipe, especially if you have to work!