Slow cooked beef with barley and tomato sauce

I came up with this recipe when I discovered some chuck steak in the freezer and barley in the pantry which was nearing it's best by date. This is a tasty, warm and nourishing meal and lovely served with pasta and vegetables. It serves 5, but if you wanted to simply have a bowl of it with no veg or pasta, it would serve 3 generous bowls which would be perfect with crusty bread.

Ingredients:

• 500g cubed chuck steak (or gravy beef)
• 2 x 400g tins diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or a sprig of fresh
• 1 teaspoon freshly crushed garlic
• 1 cup barley
• 1 tin of water. I use the tomato tins so no tomato juice is wasted. I add the garlic and rosemary to the tin of water and mix before adding to the slow cooker :)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. In the slow cooker place all ingredients and stir well so the meat is covered
2. Cook on low for 6-8hrs or high for 4-5hrs

Note: It is very important to add the tin of water because the barley swells up like rice.

That's it! Easy, healthy and D-E-L-icious  XD