Hamburger Vegetable Barley Soup

Makes 11 cups

• 1½ lb. ground beef
• 7 cups water
• 4 beef bouillon cubes (or 4 Tbsp. instant bouillon)
• 2 cups sliced carrots
• 1½ cups coarsely chopped onions
• 1½ cups chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/3 cup barley
• 1½ tsp. pepper
• 1/4 cup catsup
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

Brown ground beef; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 1 hour. Take out bay leaves. Let cool; remove fat. Freezes very well.