Back to School: Hamburger Soup

Back to School ‘Hamburger Soup’

THE BASICS
1 pound Mitchell Bros. ground beef
2 carrots - sliced
2 stalks celery - chopped
1 onion - chopped
1 garlic clove - minced
1 681 bottle Tomato Puree
2 cups beef broth (preferably home made with Mitchell Bros. bones :) 2 cups water
3/4 cup barley
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning.
1 bay leaf

Brown the beef in a tablespoon of butter or olive oil.
Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and saute until onions and celery are softened (15 minutes). Add the tomato puree, beef broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaf.
Stir in barley and simmer until cooked.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.