beef barley soup with mushrooms

This recipe yields 4 qts. of soup you can freeze. If you have less than 4 qts. add water. water will not dilute since the cooking has reduced about 1&1/2 qts. If you wait 1 hour before removing from pot.you will notice how the barely has absorbed liquid.
1 lb. beef stew meat diced, 5 oz. onion, 6 oz. mushroom, 1 lb. medium barely, 2 oz.celery, 3oz. carrots, 3 qts. chicken stock + 3c. water, 2 tsp. thyme leaves, 1/2 tsp. ground bay leaf or 3 bay leaves. Add 1/2 c. heavy cream at the end to lighten color as an option.

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