Beef Barley Soup

This soup/stew is hit or miss at our house...I love it, Owen usually eats it pretty well, and the other two won't touch it with a 10-foot pole.  But it's easy and quick.  So I make it 1-2 times each fall/winter.

Ingredients:
2-3 pounds stew beef
32 oz beef broth OR 1 packet Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix dissolved in 4 c. water
4 medium-large carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
3/4 c. medium pearl barley
1/4 onion, chopped (I skip this if I use the Lipton soup)
1 c. water (in addition to liquid above)
thyme
rosemary
fresh parsley (I just use a bit of dried)
salt & pepper to taste

Process:
Brown stew beef and onions (if using them).  Dissolve soup mix in 4 cups water (if using).  Add all ingredients to crock pot.  Cook on low for 9-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

You can also cook it on the stove - brown the beef in a stock pot, drain, add in spices, barley, liquids and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer slowly 1 hour.  Add in carrots and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 30-40 minutes.  Add in parsley just before serving.