Hamburger Soup

The other day, I was visiting my sister Emma and her house smelled so wonderful!  She was making Hamburger soup for her neighbor and it just was heavenly!!!  The longer you let this simmer on the stove, the better it tastes but you can also do this recipe in 2 hours if you are in a pinch for time. I started cooking mine at 3 p.m. and we were ready to eat by 6 p.m.but it would've tasted better if I had started it earlier. Anyway, this recipe has a lot of ingredients but I hope that doesn't discourage anyone from making this. It is so good!!!!!

2T dried minced onion (I chopped up fresh onion for mine)
1/2 tsp garlic salt
4 medium potatoes (peeled and cubed)
2 stalks celery sliced
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 lb ground beef
1 can diced tomatoes
8 cups water
1 T dried parsley
2 1/2 T Beef Base (this is beef bullion...this is what really gives the flavor. It's the gooey beef base that comes in a little container..you keep it in your fridge after you open it. I think its called better than beef bullion. I got mine at Costco in the spices aisle.)
1 large bay leaf
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup quick cook barley (got this at Sprouts formerly Sunflower market for $1.59 for a box)
1 T Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients and let simmer on the stove all day. Enjoy this cozy and delicous meal.  My kids all looked at unsure if they would like but after one bite, they all ate up! My 14-year-old daughter said, "Okay, okay...it was better than I thought it would be." that is a ringing endorsment coming from her! Enjoy!