Turkey Barley Soup

This recipe comes from the cookbook Simply in Season. I chose the recipe because it looked delicious, but it is also incredibly cheap. I can get a pound of ground turkey at Aldi for just over $1.00 and the rest of the ingredients I usually have on hand or are very inexpensive. The soup isn't that visually appealing (it doesn't look bad, just isn't very pretty) but the flavor definitely makes up for it. All the kids liked it--even Darin (that says something).

Turkey Barley Soup
4 cups water
4 cups chicken or turkey broth (I didn't have any on hand so I just made broth with bouillon cubes)
1 1/2 cups diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup barley
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt (may need less if you use low sodium broth)
1/2 teaspoon each poultry seasoning, pepper, ground sage
Combine in large soup pot. Cover and simmer 1 hour.

1 pound ground turkey (can substitute cooked chopped chicken or turkey)
2 Tablespoons ketchup
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon each ground nutmeg, dried sage, dried thyme
Brown together in saucepan. Add to soup and serve.

Slow cooker instructions: Brown meat with seasonings as instructed. Place in slow cooker with other ingredients (use boiling water) and cook on low for 6-7 hours.