Ingredients

• 2/3 cup pearl barley
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced (optional, can use more I always do)
• 1 -2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional or to taste)
• 4 carrots (peeled and finely chopped)
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 3 (10 1/2 ounce) cans beef consomme, undiluted
• 2 cups water
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted
• 1 -2 bay leaf
• salt & freshly ground black pepper