Hamburger Soup

Directions

1. 1
   Break up the hamburger and cook in skillet. Make sure that it cooks long enough that some of it becomes dark brown and sticks to pan. (this is the Maillard reaction, and it makes food taste 100 times better!).
2. 2
   Remove meat and drain off fat if there is more than a tablespoon or so.
3. 3
   Place meat in a soup pot, and place skillet back on stovetop.
4. 4
   Add onion, and cook, sort of stirring up any brown bits on bottom of pan. Cook 3-5 minutes, til translucent.
5. 5
   Add garlic and cook just until it is fragrant - about 1 minute.
6. 6
   Add a splash of beef broth to completely deglaze the pan. Then add onions and the liquid to soup pot.
7. 7
   Add remaining stock, tomatoes (juice and all), seasoning if using and barley to pot. Cook until barley is done - about 10 minutes.
8. 8
   Add peas and carrots, and potatoes to pot. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
9. 9
   Enjoy!