Beef Barley Soup

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon canola oil
1 1/2 lbs lean stew beef
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 carrot, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 rib celery, diced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
6 cups water
1/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 cup chopped canned tomato
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 pound medium-sized button mushrooms, brushed, trimmed, and quartered
3 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley


Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper. Sear the meat on all sides until well browned; this will take about 5-7 minutes. Wipe the pan out with a paper towel. Lower the heat to medium, add the oil to the pan. Add the carrot, onion, and celery to the pan and saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Return the meat to the pan with the water. Bring to a boil, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is just tender. Add the thyme, barley, and tomato, continue to simmer the soup, covered, for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan, heat the butter over medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and saute until golden, about 10 minutes. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and add them to the soup, and simmer for 15 minutes more.Add the parsley. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!