Hearty Beef Barley Soup

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 Tablespoons canola oil
• Salt
• pepper
• 1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 3 cups water
• 3 cups beef stock
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes (canned work great)
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 pound medium-size button mushrooms, rinsed, trimmed, and sliced
• 3 Tablespoons fresh minced parsley or 1 Tablespoon dried