I started making this soup when it was snowing I think. My Mom would always make this soup growing up with the garden veggies Dad grew each year. Which is key in the recipe if you have access. When I started cooking I just took over the recipes my Nanny and Mom use to cook for me and my sister, Amanda. This is one of them that brings back sweet memories. Back to the snow... When we lived in Smithfield our house became the hang out place. So I would just make a big pot of soup and let it sit while we would play!! After a while the kids called it Heather's Soup. So this post is for Caleb and Haley Millard. I love you and missed having you today. Let's get cooking...
I don't have an exact recipe this is just a base.
2 lbs ground beef
1/2 sweet onion chopped small
2 cloves garlic smashed or pressed
2 or 3 cans of diced petite tomatoes ( depending on how you like it)
2 32oz Boxes of chicken stock
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 medium carrots diced
4 potatoes diced
3 cans green beans( store bought) or
1 quart green beans canned homemade
Corn
Butter beans
Field Peas
Sweet peas
Italian seasoning( optional)
I just eyeball these until I think it looks good. Try 2 cups of each.
Brown onions first in butter. Then cook meat until done. Drain. Then add garlic, salt, and pepper. You will need to season each layer as you go. Then add your tomato paste and let cook for 1 min as you stir it into the meat. Next add your tomatoes. Season with salt liberally. At this point you can add your Italian seasoning I just sprinkled some in. All you need is a little. This is a strong seasoning but adds a lot of flavor. Add all of your veggies and broth. Season again then taste. As it cooks you will need to taste. Salt makes this soup!!
I hope this makes sense. If not leave me a note. Let me know if you make. Thanks for hanging out with me tonight. Stay warm.
Btw, I did not use my Dads veggies. I a combination of fresh, frozen, and canned all from the grocery store. It was a huge hit tonight here. We have special guests and they went back for seconds. :)