A Summer Cold....

For a few days now I've had a heck-of-a Summer cold/sore throat/allergy/sinusitis whatever you wanna call it.....so I decided that no matter how hot it is outside, the only thing that cures a sore throat and runny nose is soup or popsicles (at least that's the way my mom always treated this ailment)....and since they don't make vegetable soup flavored popsicles, I decided just to go ahead and make vegetable soup! This recipe was developed a while ago from my Mom's Stew, which I modified by basically adding veggies only! It is great for those days when you don't feel so swell, great for when you need an easy and cheap meal, great when you need leftovers for the week, and great to freeze and eat later (maybe when the weather is cooler!)  You can add whatever combination of veggies you prefer, fresh, frozen, or canned, I used all three!  Hope this cures your illnesses, or at least satisfies you when you're under the weather!

 Chop up three garlic cloves and one medium sized onion, and saute with 2tbs olive oil over medium heat for approx 5 min.

 add 1tsp of garlic salt,ground thyme, chili powder and 1/2tsp red pepper flakes and stir.

 Now add 2 boxes (4 cups per box I believe) of vegetable broth.

 Now add your veggies, I used one bag of mixed veggies, and one bag of corn both frozen.

 And one can of hominy (b/c Ben loves hominy) Feel free to add whatever veggies you like--potatoes, beans, carrots, celery, whatever you want!

TWO 16 ounce cans of tomato sauce. Let all the ingredients come to a boil, then turn heat down to medium/low heat and let simmer, the longer the better. I let mine simmer approx 45 minutes. This can also be done in a crock pot and cook overnight!

 Enjoy....

Vegetable Soup

1 onion diced

3 garlic cloves diced

2tbs olive oil

1tsp garlic salt

1tsp ground thyme

1tsp chili powder

1/2tsp red pepper flakes

2 boxes (8cups) vegetable broth

1package mixed veggies (peas, carrots, green beans, corn) frozen

1 package corn (b/c we love extra corn) frozen

1 can hominy drained

2 16ounce cans Tomato Sauce 

In a soup pot over medium high heat, add olive oil, onion, and garlic.  Let saute for five minutes then add, garlic salt, thyme, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Next add veggie broth, veggies, and tomato sauce. Always check for seasonings, depending on how salty your broth/tomato sauce is you may need more garlic salt.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to a medium low simmer for approx 45-60 minutes and serve.