3 tbsp. butter
3/4 lb. hamburger
3 onions, sliced
1/3 c. barley
1 (#2) can tomatoes
1 1/2 qt. water
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Few whole peppercorns
3 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 tsp. steak sauce
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, or more

Using a large soup kettle, fry meat in melted fat until the red color leaves it. Add onions and cook for a few minutes longer. Add water, tomatoes, barley, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer gently over a low heat for 1 hour.

Add vegetables, Worcestershire and steak sauce. Bring back to steaming point, lower heat and cook for another hour. Best if made a day ahead and reheated.