After the holidays and tax time, when it has turned cold there isn't anything that really hits the spot like a big pot of "old fashioned" homemade vegetable beef soup.All families have their own vegetable soup recipes passed down through the generations, however the following soup recipe is the way "Mama used to make it" therefore this is the recipe that I use.I am not a cook by any means so it would have to be an easy soup recipe for me to cook.First, the ingredients I use are as follows:

1 package of "soup starter" -- I use "Wylers- Mrs.Grasse Vegetable Beef Soup Mix"

2lbs. of stew beef ( tenderized if at all possible )

1 can of kerneled corn

2 cans of cut green beans

3 cans of whole potatos

1 can of succotash

or any other canned vegetables that you may like

and 1 BIG POT (about 3 gallons)

To start, bring 8 cups of water to a boil,stirring in the soup starter and then allowing it to cool to a simmer.During this time go ahead and brown your stew beef either in a pan or a "George Foreman" type grill.

After your soup starter mix has been allowed to simmer for about 5 minutes, go ahead and add your stew beef and vegetables.At this point I slow cook the contents for about 2-3 hours on low.(#3 on my stove top) Be sure to stir occasionally and add salt and pepper to taste.This will yield about 2 gallons of vegetable beef soup.

If weight loss is an issue, leave out the beef and watch the salt.

This is so simple and economical to prepare, however it's hard to find anything any tastier that you can use to prepare as many meals as this will.

I am a 53 year old Charter Boat Captain not a cook, so if I can do this anyone can.Other than burning it, you can't mess this up.Just remember the soup starter and add whatever vegetables that you like.An even simpler way to do this is to cook it in a crock pot.This lessens the chance of burning.

All you young brides that haven't learned to cook, try this, you can't go wrong.

Good Luck.