• 1 ½ lbs stew meat, cut into bite sized pieces
• salt & pepper
• 2 T oil
• 1 white onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 t tomato paste
• 7 c beef broth
• 1 c water
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ t dried thyme
• ⅔ c pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 large potato, shredded (grater or food processor)

Season meat. Sauté in oil until brown on all sides. Do in batches, if necessary. Remove.

Add more oil, if necessary and sauté onion, celery, and carrots. Add garlic at end. Add tomato paste and cook (but don't burn!) briefly.

Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, until beef is tender. Add potatoes and cook for 1 more hour.

Adjust thickness and seasoning.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 8 hours

Little Spice Jar.