Hearty Beef & Barley Delight
This Hearty Beef & Barley Delight is a nourishing and comforting soup perfect for chilly days. Packed with tender chunks of beef and wholesome vegetables, this recipe brings together the rich flavors of slow-cooked chuck along with the nutty goodness of barley. Each bowl serves as a warm hug, satisfying both hunger and soul. Whether shared with family or enjoyed solo, this heartwarming dish is bound to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. With its heartening ingredients and delightful aroma, it's simply perfect for cozy evenings!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless beef chuck
1 1/2 lbs (trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
water
4 cups (none)
low sodium beef broth
2 cups (none)
celery
2 cups (sliced)
fresh mushrooms
2 cups (sliced)
carrot
1 cup (sliced)
onion
1 cup (chopped)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
dried rosemary
1 teaspoon (crushed)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (none)
quick-cooking barley
1 cup (or regular barley, precooked)
Instructions
1
Begin by trimming any excess fat from the boneless beef chuck. Cut the beef into 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking.
2
In a large Dutch oven, combine the cubed beef, 4 cups of water, 2 cups of low sodium beef broth, sliced celery, mushrooms, carrots, chopped onion, salt, crushed rosemary, pepper, and minced garlic. Stir to mix the ingredients well.
3
Bring the mixture to a strong boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the beef is tender. If any fat rises to the surface, skim it off at this stage.
4
Once the beef is tender, stir in the 6-ounce can of tomato paste and 1 cup of quick-cooking barley. Increase the heat to bring the soup back to a boil.
5
After boiling, reduce the heat again and cover the pot, simmering for an additional 10 minutes or until the barley is cooked through. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Beef & Barley Delight?
Hearty Beef & Barley Delight is a nourishing and comforting soup filled with tender beef chuck, wholesome vegetables, and nutty barley, perfect for chilly days.
What cut of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of boneless beef chuck, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
How much liquid is required for the soup base?
The recipe uses a combination of 4 cups of water and 2 cups of low sodium beef broth.
Which vegetables are included in this beef and barley soup?
This soup contains 2 cups of sliced celery, 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms, 1 cup of sliced carrots, and 1 cup of chopped onion.
What seasonings are used in Hearty Beef & Barley Delight?
The soup is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of crushed dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and one minced garlic clove.
When should I add the tomato paste?
The 6-ounce can of tomato paste should be stirred in once the beef has become tender, just before adding the barley.
What kind of barley is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of quick-cooking barley, though regular barley can be used if it is precooked first.
How long does the beef need to simmer?
The beef should simmer in a covered Dutch oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours until it is tender.
Should I remove excess fat from the meat?
Yes, you should trim any excess fat from the boneless beef chuck before cubing it and skim off any fat that rises to the surface during simmering.
How long does the barley take to cook in the soup?
After adding the quick-cooking barley, the soup should simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until the barley is cooked through.
What is the recommended size for the beef cubes?
The beef chuck should be cut into 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
Is this soup considered an easy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is suitable for family meals.
Can I use regular beef broth instead of low sodium?
While low sodium is recommended to control salt levels, regular beef broth can be used; however, you may want to adjust the added salt accordingly.
What cooking vessel should I use?
A large Dutch oven is the ideal vessel for preparing this hearty soup.
How should the garlic be prepared?
One garlic clove should be minced before being added to the pot.
Do I need to boil the soup before simmering?
Yes, bring the initial mixture to a strong boil before reducing the heat to low for the long simmer.
How many cups of mushrooms are needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms.
Is the rosemary fresh or dried?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, which should be crushed before adding.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The specific number of servings isn't listed, but the volume of ingredients suggests it is a substantial family-sized meal.
Does this soup contain fiber?
Yes, the inclusion of barley, carrots, celery, and mushrooms provides dietary fiber.
Is there a specific way to prepare the carrots?
The 1 cup of carrots should be sliced for this recipe.
Can this be made in advance?
Yes, beef and barley soups often develop more flavor the next day, though you may need to add a little extra broth as the barley continues to absorb liquid.
Is there onion in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped onion.
What is the texture of the barley?
Barley has a pleasant nutty flavor and a slightly chewy, wholesome texture.
How much pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Is the soup lid on or off during the long simmer?
The pot should be covered while simmering for 1 to 1 1/4 hours to keep the moisture in.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Can I use regular barley if I don't have quick-cooking barley?
Yes, you can use regular barley, but it must be precooked before being added to the soup.
Is this a good recipe for winter?
Yes, with tags like 'warming', 'cozy', and 'comfort food', it is perfect for cold evenings.
How do I serve Hearty Beef & Barley Delight?
It is best served warm in individual bowls for a satisfying and soul-warming meal.