Food to Stick to Your Bones

Fall is my favourite season. I love fall so much! I love pulling out the sweaters and the warm jackets. I love a cool breeze mixed with some sunshine. I love to see the leaves changing colours and I love to watch my children jump through the raked piles out on our front lawn. I am sure that they would spend the whole day out there if they could. Which is why I like to make sure I have a warm meal for them when they come inside.

Perhaps my favourite thing about fall is getting to use my crockpot to make easy stick-to-your-bones soups. The one below is so good that my kids end up licking their bowls clean…and to me, that is a true sign of a successful meal!

Ana Maria’s Mushroom Barley Soup

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 quarts beef or chicken broth
1 cup barley, rinsed under cold water
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 small shoulder steak (or stew beef works too!)
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
salt to taste

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet and saute the onion, celery and garlic until the veggies are translucent, but not yet browned.

2. Add veggies and all the rest of the ingredients to crockpot.

3. Cover tightly and cook all day. season to taste.

4. ENJOY!