Vegetable Soup

My Mom made the absolute best vegetable soup in the world! I've tried to copy it without using meat, but haven't gotten the results I've wanted...until now. This soup satisfies my hunger and my soul. I can close my eyes and remember eating Mom's soup as a child. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The liquid smoke and No Beef Base are optional, but highly recommended for the deep, rich flavor I look for in vegetable soup.

Vegetable Soup

1 small wedge cabbage, shredded
1 can green beans, mostly drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 large onion, chopped
3 small gold potatoes, medium diced
1 cup frozen corn
1 bag frozen roasted vegetables, optional
4 carrots, scrubbed and sliced
1 can lima beans, mostly drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
1 small can water
vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder
onion powder
liquid smoke, optional
1 teaspoon Better Than Broth No Beef Base, optional
1/4 cup rice or other grain (to give the soup a little substance)

 

Put all ingredients in a Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Lower fire and cover. Cook on low (hard
simmer) until cooked, about 1 hour, adding vegetable broth as needed.

Linguini Salad

I've been making this pasta salad for years and my family always loved it. The original recipe calls for shredded cheese, but, of course is left out now! This is a great dish for potlucks too, especially with spiral noodles instead of linguini noodles. I'm not a huge fan of ripe olives, so I only add them when I make this for a potluck.

Linguini Salad

1 pound whole wheat linguini, cooked and cooled
1 large tomato, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, diced (half green and half red is great for Christmas!)
4 ounces sliced ripe olives
3 tablespoons Salad Supreme, to taste
8 ounces fat free Italian dressing

Mix all ingredients well and chill for at least an hour before serving (better if made the day before).

Tomatoes and Pasta

I like pasta with different sauces. This is one I made up as I went one night when Bob and I were hungry and I didn't feel like slicing and chopping to have something good to eat. This is a quick meal as is, but if you want to slice and chop a little, grab something from the fridge and go for it!

Tomatoes and Pasta

1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups frozen corn (or 1 can drained and rinse
Pasta (elbows, penne, spiral, etc.)

Cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, combine other ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat. When the tomatoes are cooked, add to cooked and drained pasta and mix. Now all you have to do is eat!