Feed a Crowd: Beef Vegetable Soup

TGIF, y’all!  I didn’t intend to step away this week, but — Life.  Anyway… our holidays are all about crowds.  I mean, we have five kids.  Who all have friends, girl friends, etc.  So I wanted to share a new Feed a Crowd recipe that’s been a lifesaver recently: a Whole30 compliant Beef Vegetable Soup!

This is not only healthy and delicious, but it’s FILLING!  And when you’re feeding a crowd that’s key!

Here’s what you need:

• 2 lbs beef ground for chili (grass fed if you can get it, don’t worry if you can’t)
• 2 32 oz cartons Kitchen Basics unsalted beef stock
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 medium onion chopped
• 2 cups sliced baby portabella mushrooms
• 2 cups fresh sugar snap peas
• 2 16 oz packages frozen vegetables for soup (we like the combo packages but you can choose your fave veggies instead if you like).
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp rubbed sage
• 1 tbsp Mrs. Dash original seasoning
• sea salt and black pepper to taste

Here’s what you do:

In a large stock pot, brown the beef.  Drain and remove from pot.  I put in on a paper towel covered plate to continue draining for a bit.  In the same stock pot, add beef stock, water, onion, mushrooms, and sugar snap peas.  Bring to a boil and then simmer covered for 20 minutes.  Add frozen vegetables, garlic, sage, Mrs. Dash, sea salt and pepper, and the drained beef to the mix and simmer covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  Serve with corn bread, salad, and/or grilled cheese sandwiches.

This is one of those soups that tastes even better the next day and freezes well.  I usually try to make it ahead of time, or at least in the morning, so by supper time the flavors have all melded.  Last weekend at the lake, I had a pot of this simmering all day Saturday and all day Sunday.  We didn’t have any left over to bring home, but boy did we all enjoy it!!

This is such a busy time of year but I intended to be sharing here regularly last week.  God had a different plan though, and my little school is going through much upheaval and change.  If I could ask you to please pray for this situation over the holidays?  Those classrooms full of little ones are such a ministry to us teachers and the families.   I, for one, am working to keep my eyes on Him each day.  What else is there, after all?

Wishing you all a blessed weekend of those last minute holiday preparations!  I know my weekend is full, but I plan to spend some time with feet propped in front of the fire, enjoying the lights on my tree, and watching “Elf”.   And smiling.  Because smiling’s my favorite.

Cheers!