[Winter Comfort Food] Vegetable Beef Soup
 

This is great because you can just use anything you have on hand...I have a more 'formal' recipe but I find just dumping anything you want/have into the pot can give unexpectedly awesome results.

I used what was in my pantry and fridge: :lol:

Vegetable stock
Chicken broth
Beef bouillon - 2 tbsp
28 oz can of crushed fire-roasted tomatoes + water to rinse it out dumped in
1.5 pounds stew beef (seared first, then thrown in)
1 zucchini
1 yellow squash
1 bag frozen yellow/green bean and carrot blend (added last)
1 box farro (also thrown in last - can use barley instead)

Get all the stock/broth/bouillon/water/tomatoes in your pot and bring to a boil. Sear the meat and add in next. Add in your cut up veggies. If you use anything like frozen beans/corn/peas/smaller veggies, add them in last. I simmered this for 1-1.5 hours...makes the house smell good. Tastes even better!

The final product (serve with a nice crusty bread):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps1b557f91.jpg

I've done a zillion permutations of this...used potatoes, peas, corn, etc for veggies also. I have mostly used barley for the grain but farro and quinoa are also good choices (and loaded with protein). :seasix:

This looks delicious! I was looking for something to make tomorrow. Might have to give this a shot.

Just beware of the demon barley! It'll give you the "wind" something terrible.:rofl:

We used to call that 'clean out the fridge' soup. :yesnod:....and it's awesome!:thumbs:

^ :rofl: Try the farro instead of the barley...looks the same (you can see it in my pic), but it's a little-known ancient grain that is good for you without all the 'wind'. :D It's a great fat-free protein source, too. :seasix:

Ahhhhh yea.