Lunch: Slow-Cooker Beef, Bacon and Barley Soup

Beef-flavored broth is the robust base for this slow cooked dinner loaded with beef, Green Giant® Niblets® Frozen Corn, bacon and barley.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Barley, Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Slow-Cooker Beef, Bacon and Barley Soup

Barley is about the best grain a woman with PCOS can eat. It is low in calories and has the lowest GI of all grains. Low-GI grains such as barley take much longer to digest and create a slow, steady rise in blood glucose and insulin levels. As mentioned before on Fertility Chef, low-GI foods reduce cravings. If possible, try and find hulled barley as it is the most nutrient dense of all types of barley. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 lb. boneless beef round steak, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
4 small red potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 cups fresh baby carrots, cut in half lengthwise
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup uncooked regular pearl barley
2 (14-oz.) cans beef broth
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
1 (12-oz.) jar beef gravy

Instructions

Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add beef and onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
In 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker, layer potatoes, carrots, corn and barley. Top with beef mixture. Pour broth, tomatoes and gravy over top. Do not stir.
Cover; cook on low setting for 7 to 8 hours. Stir before serving.

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