Beef barley bean soup

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dried lima beans (or butter beans)
1 kg low fat stewing beef
5 pints water  
1/4 cup pearl barley 
2 onions, diced 
1 teaspoon low sodium salt 
1/2 teaspoon pepper 
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

Cover the beans in water and soak overnight. 

Drain beans. 

Bring the water to the boil in a large pan or soup kettle.

Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook the beef in the water for 45 minutes. 

Add the barley, onions, beans, salt, pepper and parsley. 

Cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, until the meat and beans are tender.