Beef Barley Soup

• 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into ½ inch pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 3 carrots, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 1 small red pepper, chopped
• 5 cups water
• 2 tablespoons instant beef bouillon
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon basil
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup medium pearled barley

1. Combine all ingredients, except barley, in slow cooking pot. Cover and cook at setting #3 (low) for 7 to 9 hours or at setting #5 (high) for 4 to 5 hours.
2. During last hour of cooking, add barley and continue cooking at same heat setting. Remove bay leaf before serving. Reduce heat to setting #2(low) for serving.