like Grandma use to make ~ comfort food ~ July 8

my grandma had 7 boys !!! and an old wood stove * every week she would cook up a huge pot of soup * starting Friday it went right through to the following Thursday * simmering away and being added to when it got low * a few carrots * a handful of barley * parsnips and onions * just delicious and certainly food that warms your soul * every time I make it I am taken to times past * a little girl sitting at my grandmas' table


I start with approx 6 cups of beef stock ( I use cubes ) * 500g diced beef - chuck or stewing steak is good as long as it is quite lean * 2 onions finely chopped * 3-4 carrots peeled and sliced * 3 sticks of celery sliced * 1 clove crushed garlic * cracked pepper & salt * I put this all into my big soup pot and bring to the boil * then slowly simmer for 1 hour * rinse 1 cup of pearl barley then put in the pot & peel & grate 1 peeled swede/turnip - stir into soup * simmer for another 2 hours * stir occasionally * the longer and slower it cooks the better * serve with bread * delish !!! ** add more water if needed during cooking process **