Carol's Meatball Stew

Total Time: 7 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 7 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 35 1/2 inches frozen meatballs
• 1 -2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
• 1 lb carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1 head celery, coarsely chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 (48 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can chunky crushed tomatoes seasoned with basil garlic & oregano
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes with jalapeno peppers, petite
• 3 (15 ounce) cans potatoes, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning or 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 3 bay leaves, whole
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking barley

Recipe

• 1 place 35 frozen meat balls, green beans, carrots, celery, onions in a 12 quart pot.
• 2 pour in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, chopped potatoes, bay leaves, all seasonings.
• 3 bring to a boil and then turn temperature to warm-low and cover tightly for about 6 to 8 hours.
• 4 when veggies are done to your liking, add the canned beans (rinsed) and 1/2 cup barley to soak up some of the liquid.
• 5 remove bay leaves.
• 6 cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until barley is tender.
• 7 serve with crusty garlic or other bread & butter, corn bread works really good too -- use your imagination.