Beef & Barley Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 pound beef stew meat
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper