Mushroom Barley soup

1 cup barley

3 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 carrot, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 (10 ounce) packages sliced mushrooms
5 cups beef broth or vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Bring the barley and water to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes, or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stir in the onions, carrots, and celery; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes more.
3. Pour in beef broth, and bring soup to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and continue simmering 15 minutes. Stir in barley, and season with salt and pepper before serving.

If you like more veggies than it calls for feel free to add more!