Ingredients

  • 12 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 potato, peeled and chopped
  • 1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 14 teaspoon freshly grd pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can reduced-sodium beef broth
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can no-salt-added whole tomatoes
  • 2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable juice cocktail
  • 1 cup water
  • 12 cup quick-cooking pearl barley
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • hot pepper sauce
  • salt & pepper

Method

  • Brown beef in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Drain.
  • Place in slow cooker crock and add onion, carrots, potato, parsnip, garlic, pepper, basil, beef broth tomatoes, vegetable juice cocktail and water.
  • Cover and cook on low 7-9 hours.
  • Turn slow cooker to high.
  • Stir to break up whole tomatoes.
  • Stir in barley and frozen mixed vegetables.
  • Cover and cook on high 30 minutes.
  • Just before serving, taste and add hot pepper sauce, pepper and salt to taste.