Beef Barley Soup

This was a cooking triumph.  My mom said it was the best food she has ever eaten in her whole life.  I can always judge if something is good is if she takes seconds. 

1 carton of beef stock
1  onion
1 carrot
1 cup of uncooked barley
1 can of tomato paste
about a pound of beef.  You can use stew meat but its cheaper if you buy it uncut
several cloves of garlic
mushrooms
parsley flakes
Johnny's salt
a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to brighten up at the end

 Cut up the meat into bite size pieces and brown slightly.  be sure not to crowd the pan.  It doesn't have to be cooked all the way through.  Dice up the onion and slice the carrot.  Chop up the mushrooms.  Add to crock pot or large sauce pan.

Deglaze the pan bay adding the beef stock and scrapping up the bottom.

Add in tomato pasta and broth to the pan.  Add a much of cloves of garlic whole.  Don't worry it will simmer for a long time so it won't be bad.  Add some salt and simmer for at least two hours on low adding water as needed.   Add in some parsley flakes. I lett mine simmer most of the day.  Longer is better.

45 min before serving add in barley and adjust the seasoning. I a little lemon juice or cider vinegar to brighten it up.

Serve with bread and salad.