hamburger soup

isn't it so wonderfully satisfying to make a huge pot of soup, or chili or any giant meal?

i find it so fun to be able to make a large portion of something, so we can enjoy it all week or share it around the table with friends or family.

i decided this week to try a recipe that i found in my grandma's box of recipes.
i had to make some small modifications because i didn't have everything in my kitchen.. but it ended up being sooooo tasty.

hamburger soup

1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 cups water
3 cans of beef broth (or one 900ml carton)
2 - 284 ml can tomato soup
4 carrots chopped
1 can red kidney beans
1 can peas
1 bay leaf
3 stalks celery chopped
parsley (i didn't have this)
1/2 tsp thyme
pepper to taste
1 pkg dry onion soup mix (liptons)
8 tbsp barley (i didn't have this, so i used macaroni instead)

brown the ground beef & add the onion, fry up till the onions are just browned. put the rest of the ingredients (except macaroni) into a large pot over medium heat. add the beef & onions once browned. cover & lower the heat so that the soup is just simmering.
in a separate pot, fill with water & bring to a boil. pour in macaroni and cook for 5 minutes, so they are slightly undercooked. drain & add to the rest of the soup. let simmer for 2 hours, or all day. enjoy!

simmering

ready to eat!