What's cooking?

I'm making up a big pot of hamburger soup! Lots of meat and low carb veges. Mmmmm! Not So Secret ingredient: V8 hot and spicy juice--gives it a bite! This will help get me back on track... Let's share some food ideas that are yummy and good for us to get us out of holiday carb overload! Joy

Do you have a recipe for your hamburger soup? Sounds good. Thanks! Leila

I second that! Let's hear the recipe! It does indeed sound yummy and I need something really low carb to kick me back into reality! Dina

I'm not great with recipes and don't measure, but here's the general idea: 3 lbs of ground chuck 1 onion, chopped 1/2 head of cabbage, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped hand full of fresh green beans, snapped in small pieces 2 cups raw baby carrots, chop the big ones 5 new potatoes, chopped (had to add a few carbs!) 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 pkg soup beef & vege soup starter 2 bay leaves 1 tsp basil sprinkle of ground allspice sprinkle of ground cloves pepper to taste bit of garlic powder 1 tsp seasoning salt 2 tsp Splenda 3 small cans of V8 hot and spicy juice (My daughter uses 6 cans) 2 small cans of tomato sauce 6 cups water 1 can mixed vegetables, drained 1 can ranch style beans, not drained Brown hamburger, drain. Add all but canned ingredients to dutch oven. Simmer about an hour until veges are done. Add canned veges. Simmer a bit longer. Taste and adjust seasoning (told you I don't do recipes!) Every time I make it, it comes out a bit different, but it is always good. If you have vege-type leftovers, toss them in! I can't make a small amount--this makes about 8 quarts. Enjoy... Joy

sounds yum!!! but what are "ranch" style beans??? is this a geographical thing?

Pinto beans or red beans. This brand comes in a chili sauce. Use whatever kind you like--navy beans would be good too. It probably is a regional thing--I didn't think about that! Joy

the term must be! ok -sounds great still! thanks! around here they are called chili beans- go figure!

Joy, The soup sounds wonderful and I'm going to save the recipe. Today I'll be making chili. It's going to be rainy and cold here and chili sounded good to me. I make mine with 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 chorizo so will head to the meat market later to pick up the chorizo. I'm glad you posted this. I was just thinking yesterday that I needed to get back on the protein train. Connie

Chili sounds great too. It is the season for warm food! Joy

WOW! That's some recipe! You must be a fantastic cook! I'm printing this one up, may doctor it a bit myself (you know...additions and subtractions!) and try it. Thanks!