SLOW COOKER:: Prepare meat & rinse the barley. Place all ingrdients, minus 1 cup of water, in the slow cooker. COOK on High 3 - 4 hours. Prepare steak by trimming fat and cutting stek into 1' cubes. In a large soup pot (at least 4-qt) stir together 8 cups water, steak cubes, tomatoes, broth, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a BOIL. Reduce heat; COVER and SIMMER 1 hr. Place barley in a strainer & rinse with cold water. Gradually add barley, along with 1 cup water, to soup in pot; COVER & SIMMER again 1 hr. Skim fat from top of soup. ADD frozen vegetables to soup pot; COVER & SIMMER a 3rd time until meat & veggies are tender, about 30 - 40 mins. Remove and discard bay leaves.