
Quick Hamburger Vegetable Soup
When I say that I cook from scratch I guess I’m lying a bit. I mean, I always have some convenience foods like canned tomatoes and containers of broth in my pantry. Yes, it would be nice to always have diced up tomatoes in my freezer from my bountiful harvest (I only wish) or containers of chicken and beef stock that I make weekly, but right now I don’t have time for those things.
I would rather have simple homemade food, with fresh meat and vegetables flavored with fresh and dried spices, on the table every night of the week rather than “absolutely everything made from scratch” food on the table once in a while. I do what I can.
When I do buy processed food I am picky with what I choose. For instance I look for BPA free canned tomatoes. I also read all ingredients on a package and stay away from packages that have ingredients that (1) I can not read and (2) has more than 4 or 5 ingredients listed.
Try reading the packages next time you go grocery shopping. You’d be amazed at what you read!
So, back to the recipe. Here is a simple soup that anyone can throw together on a busy week night.
To make dishes like this exceptionally quick, a food processor is your best friend. I have used a Kitchenaid food processor a few times a week for years and would not want to cook without it!
Quick Hamburger Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 – 2 pounds of lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion
- two stalks celery
- 2 carrots
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (28 oz) can tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In large dutch oven,brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking up with a spoon. Add chopped onion, carrots, celery and garlic (chopping in the food processor takes seconds!) and cook until onion is done, about 5 minutes.
Stir together in the dutch oven the tomato paste, broth, tomatoes (I puree mine in food processor because of picky teenagers!) and spices. Bring to boil and then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy with a slice of my Porridge Seed Bread!