Meatball-Barley Soup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine bread crumbs, egg, half of the garlic, half of the rosemary, and the ground pepper in a large bowl. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Place the meatballs in a foil-lined 15x10-inch baking pan. Bake about 15 minutes or until done in centers (160 degrees F). Set aside.

Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add carrot, bell pepper, onion, and the remaining garlic; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beef stock, the water, Great Northern beans, barley, and the remaining rosemary. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until the barley is tender.

Add the meatballs to the barley mixture; heat through. Stir in spinach just before serving.