EASY BEEF & BARLEY SOUP

1.5 lbs ground beef (cooked and drained) 28 oz can diced tomatoes 2 cups water 3 cans beef broth (I usually just fill up my 28 oz can from the tomatoes and use the appropriate amount of bouillon) 1 large (or 2 smallish) onions 3-4 cloves garlic 3 celery stalks 4 med carrots (I used baby carrots when writing this post because I was out of large ones) 8 tbsp pearl barley 1/2 tsp thyme (you can substitute with basil if you’d rather) (1/4 cup red wine – optional) salt and pepper to taste. 1 bay leaf

Cook the ground beef then add all ingredients to a big pot. Cook for about an hour. ENJOY!