Hearty Hamburger Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 onion, minced
• 4 carrots, minced
• 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup barley
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 3 (10 ounce) cans beef broth
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation: 

* Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat, and crumble in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is evenly browned and no longer pink. Drain, and discard any excess grease. 

* Stir in the onion, carrots, celery, and barley. Pour in diced tomatoes, water, broth, and tomato soup. Season with bay leaf, parsley, garlic, thyme, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and cover; simmer for 2 hours, stirring frequently. Remove bay leaf before serving.