This is another recipe I made up. I love barley, so that had to be included. This recipe also has a "secret ingredient." It's not really so secret since I'm going to tell you, but the ingredient that I think sets this hearty soup apart from all the rest is cinnamon! :) 

All this talk is making me hungry for it, so I've gotta go get my stew meat out of the freezer! :)

Hearty Beef Barley Vegetable Soup

1 ¼ lbs beef stew meat  - ground beef can also be substituted (90% lean would be best)

1 sm – med onion

16 c. water

1 (generous) c. pearl barley

12 bullion cubes

3 tsp. dried parsley flakes

3 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 can diced tomatoes with the juice

1 can whole kernel corn – drained

10 oz. frozen green beans

Lightly brown stew meat (or fully cook ground beef). Fry onions at the same time in same pan – ‘till translucent(I add a little olive oil to the pan).  Combine water, barley, bullion, and spices in 8qt. pan add meat and onion with juices, when ready.  Cook for about 1 hr. Add vegetables and cook only until beans are tender crisp.

Enjoy! :)