ELAINE'S OLD FASHIONED VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP

Elaine's Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup image

Provided by Elaine Douglas

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 c chopped onion
1 tsp chopped garlic, or to taste
1 c raw potato diced (or ¼ c. barley, softened in 1 c. water for 8 hours) (or ¼ c. rice, millet, rye or faroe)
1 c sliced carrot
1 c sliced celery
1/2 lb green beans cut diagonally or 2 c. frozen cut beans
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes or 2 lbs. fresh or frozen tomatoes, diced
1 c canned drained beans kidney, black, or black eyed peas - optional
9 c beef bouillon or stock or a combination of stock and water.
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp thyme, dried
1/4 tsp basil, dried
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp ground pepper
5 dash(es) red pepper sauce (optional)
1 7 oz can whole kernel corn, undrained (or ½ cup of frozen corn)
1 c frozen peas

Steps:

1. Brown beef and onion in large saucepan until meat is slightly browned. Drain off excess fat (if you use very lean beef there will be no excess fat).
2. Add remaining ingredients except corn and peas. Simmer 30 minutes or until raw vegetables are tender.
3. Add corn and peas, continue heating for 5 minutes. If you use frozen vegetables add another cup of water.
4. Remove and discard bay leaves. Taste for seasoning. Add a bit more salt if necessary.