Vegetable Soup

I just got back from spending time with my sibs.  We don't see each other often enough since we live on each coast and one in the middle/west.  It was great!  It's amazing that any of us have kiddos old enough to get married, but that was the reason for the gathering.  Wonderful!

This soup really has no exact measurements or ingredients.  Yep, it's one of those.  Somehow, it always tastes great.  It is my kid sister's favorite soup.  I don't know if she ever made it, because she always lived close to Mom, but Mom is not there anymore.  She can do it.  So can you.  Don't worry about measurements or ingredients.  The only ones that are mandatory in our family are the tomatoes, cabbage and beef bouillon - but you could use vegetable broth if you want to go totally vegetarian.  Mom sometimes put a can of V-8 in it, too.

Here you go.  Just wing it.  It will be fine.

The cast.

Mom's Vegetable Soup

Beef soup bone

3-4 Tablespoons Better that bouillon beef flavor

water

1 onion, diced

4 carrots, diced

4 stalks celery, diced

4 cups fresh tomatoes, diced OR 1 quart canned diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup corn (I use frozen)

1 cup peas

1 cup green beans

1/3 head of cabbage, sliced and diced

1 cup diced potatoes, I use red potatoes because they don't turn mushy

salt and pepper to taste

1/3 - 1/2 pound spaghetti, broken into 2-3 inch pieces

Put the soup bone in the pot.  Cover with water to the amount of soup you are aiming for.  It will boil down, but you are going to add enough stuff to bring it back up to the amount you want.

Boil the soup bone for about 20 minutes.  It is going to foam and look icky.  Don't worry.  Skim off the foam.  Add the bouillon.  Start with the lesser amount.  You can always add more later.

Add the onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes.  Simmer for about 1/2 hour. 

Remove the soup bone.

 Taste it and add the salt and pepper and extra bouillon.

Add the rest of the veggies and the pasta.

Cook until the pasta and potatoes are done.

Check it again for the salt and pepper.

Enjoy the scent wafting from your kitchen and know that your family will be getting a healthy meal.