Beef and Barley (with optional mushrooms)

Prep time- 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time- 1.5 hours or so
Feeds 4

Number of things that get dirty- 4
soup pot
cutting board
ladle/stirring spoon
knife

Ingredients

1 C barley
water to cover
4 oz container tomato paste
2 tbs onion soup powder
1 lb beef cut into chunks. I have been known to use ground beef if I have some defrosted in the fridge.

optional can of mushrooms in whatever form you like.

Put barley, tomato paste and onion powder into pot with enough water to cover.
Cook as per instructions on your barley until barley is soft.
Add meat and turn down to a simmer until meat is cooked (roughly 15 minutes)
Add mushrooms if desired
Add water if necessary
simmer 5-10 more minutes.

Serve hot!