Add oil and beef to a soup pot, sauté until meat has browned then remove meat and set aside.
Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot to the pot with the meat droppings and sauté for 3 minutes.
Stir in beef, my tomato paste, beef broth, thyme, bouillon cube and maggi seasoning. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in rinsed barley and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the barley is cooked.
Season to taste with pepper and salt. Enjoy!