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Step 5: Check for Doneness
- After cooking, the beef should be tender, the vegetables soft, and the barley fully cooked.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce if needed.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
- For an extra touch, top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread or a side salad.
Tips for Perfect Beef & Barley Soup
- Customize the Ingredients: Feel free to add mushrooms, green beans, or zucchini for additional vegetables.
- Use Leftover Roast: If you have leftover roast beef, it can be shredded and used in place of stew meat.
- Thicker Soup: For a thicker consistency, mash some of the potatoes or remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
- Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.