There are no rules!
It took me years to realize that soup is just throwing stuff in a pot. How great is that??!!
Soup and winter go together like popsicles and summertime. {My neighbour would make us these amazing popsicles that tasted exactly like that old McDonald's orange drink they used to have. They were the greatest summer treat that no one has ever replicated since...but I digress...}
Because of the heaviness of my spirit yesterday {and because I needed to make something to take to a staff potluck and I was pretty sure someone else would take a casserole and I had celery that needed to be used soon before it was wasted} I decided on a simmering pot of hearty goodness, dusting my home with that 'every little thing is gonna be alright' kind of smell that makes you think you might survive winter after all.
This is how I made it:
1 lb ground beef
2 cups chopped cabbage
3 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup tomato juice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
1/4 cup rice
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp brown sugar (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
I browned the ground beef right in my soup pot and drained off the fat. Then I added all my other ingredients and let it simmer for at least two hours to fully cook the vegetables and fully blend the flavours together. {I had to add a little water as it cooked because it was a bit thick.} It smelled so good, I was sorry I had to save it for the potluck.
Why brown sugar? Tomatoes are acidic and brown sugar counteracts that acid - relaxing the flavour and making it more friendly to anyone prone to ulcers or heartburn.
Kitchen Confession. Every time I put Worcestershire sauce in something I have to say it out loud. "Wor-cester-shire," I'll whisper while I shake it into the pot, pretending I am a hobbit {because 'shire'}. I also pretend I don't know it's made from anchovys {because, ew}.
One More Suggestion: This would be perfectly lovely paired up with my 6 Ingredient Tea Biscuits!
Happy soup making! And remember - there are no rules - you can add any vegetables you happen to have on hand. Enjoy!
I love no rules. I love soup. I love potluck. I love W - Sauce. And I love how I make a few friends in Canada - then you guys keep wanting to share your cold weather with me. We went from 80's to single digit windchill in less than 24 hours. I love new friends. But, seriously. Stop sharing. I'm trying to send some warmth your way, but you keep over powering me.
ReplyDeleteHa! If only we could find a happy medium :) Temperatures in the 80's sounds like heaven - I think it will be August before this snow melts!
DeleteSounds yummy! I love soup, especially on cold, dreary days. Or, arriving home after church on Sundays to a simmering crock pot of Corn Chowder or Pumpkin soup. Mmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteDo your kids like it? Mine are not such soup fans which is annoying because it's so yummy! Aw well...more for me ;)
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