Barley Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1-1/2 cups fresh baby carrots, halved
• 1-1/2 cups frozen cut green beans
• 1-1/2 cups frozen corn
• 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups water
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) vegetable broth
• 1 cup medium pearl barley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1-3/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained