Best Ever Beef And Barley Soup

** 1 1/2 cups of thinly sliced carrots** 1 1/2 cups of thinly sliced celery** 2/3 cup of chopped onion** 1 8-ounce package of pre-sliced mushrooms** 2 tablespoons of beef base** 8-10 cups of water** 1 large bay leaf** 1 cup of uncooked pearl barley** 1/2 teaspoon of salt** 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper** 1 tablespoon of garlic

Instructions

1. While stirring often, brown the meat in a nonstick fry pan.

2. Transfer the steak from the pan to the crockpot. Along with the beef broth, water, garlic, and bay leaf, add the carrots, celery, onion, and mushrooms.

Turn heat to high for one hour, then add pearl barley. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until meat and veggies are cooked. Season with pepper and salt.

4. Throw out the bay leaf.