2bleu's Beef Barley Soup (Or Chicken Barley Soup) Recipe - Food.com

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb beef sirloin steak, cubed small (or b or s chicken breast)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups beef broth (or chicken broth, we use Better Than Bullion paste)
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped into large pieces
• 4 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• salt and black pepper, to taste