I Need Warmth

We woke up to 29 degrees this morning with a wind chill, making it feel as if it were 19 degrees outside. I told myself as soon as I opened the back door at 5:30AM; this is going to be a soup day.  We need something that’s going to stick to our bones and make us feel warm and cozy.  So the soup is on!  We are having homemade vegetable beef soup.  For your convenience, I have attached the recipe.

Vegetable Beef Soup (Crock Pot)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil for browning the meat

½ to 1 pound of stew beef cut into small pieces

½ onion 1 potato cut up in small pieces  ** (see additional options)

2 celery sticks cut up small pieces

2 carrots cut up small pieces

1 ear of corn, (cut corn off cob, if you don’t have fresh use a can)

A handful of broccoli pieces cut or 1 handful of fresh green beans cut

1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes

1 can beef broth

1 teaspoon salt (1/2 for browning meat and ½ for crock pot)

1 ½ teaspoon parsley (1/2 when browning meat and 1 teaspoon for crock pot)

1 teaspoon pepper (1/2 when browning meat and ½ for crock pot)

4 cups of water

Directions

In frying pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, add onions and beef. Stir beef until meat is brown on all sides.  Add ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon parsley and ½ teaspoon of pepper to meat while browning.  Once meat is totally brown, remove from the burner and place meat mixture into crock pot.  Chop vegetables up into bite size pieces for soup and place in crock pot.  Add remaining spices (salt, pepper and parsley).  Add 1 can of beef broth and 4 cups of water to crock pot.  Turn crock pot on high and leave to cook for approximately 4 hours.  ** Options: instead of potato, add pasta or rice.  Compliment your soup with bread, rolls or crackers.

Today is also one of those days you just want to stay inside and remain warm.  This gives me a chance to finish up the inside chores; stripping down the beds, washing blankets, clothes and towels.  I also plan on Washing out the new storage containers received on Friday.  May even consider finishing up this book I am reading by Nicholas Evans, “The Loop”.   Have a great Sunday, and stay warm my friends.