Vegetable Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) can chickpeas
• 1 (8 ounce) can sweet peas
• 1 (8 ounce) can green beans
• 1 (10 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 small zucchini, chopped
• 1 -2 carrot, chopped
• 1/4 medium yellow onion
• 24 ounces vegetable broth (if you prefer) or 24 ounces chicken broth (if you prefer) or 24 ounces beef broth (if you prefer)
• 1 pinch parsley
• 1 pinch basil
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 1 pinch dry mustard
• 1 lb ground beef (optional) or 1 lb ground turkey (optional) or 1 lb chopped chicken (optional) or 1 lb ham (optional) or 1 lb sausage, etc. (optional)

Recipe

• 1 if using crock pot: throw everything in a pot (if using meat, brown first with or without onion). substitute whatever veggies you prefer. in a 4 quart crockpot, cook on high 3-4 hours, low 6-8.
• 2 on stove: cook onion in a soup pot/dutch oven until tender (medium-high heat -- cook meat at this time if using). add tomatoes, broth, carrots. bring to boil.
• 3 add everything else (cans, zucchini, spices) and turn to "simmer/low" and cover.
• 4 let simmer, stirring every 5-10 minutes for about 35-40 minutes, or until the carrot is cooked to your liking.
• 5 told you it was easy :).