Mama's Old Fashioned Vegetable Soup

For years, my mother cooked the most delicious vegetable soup I have ever tasted. So, when I had a craving a few months ago, I called her and asked how to cook it. The first try was successful! This soup is delicious. My 15 month old son loved it && it was a hit with my mother-in-law and husband! I asked permission to share this particular recipe and my mother said yes. So, good luck, and let me know how yours turns out!

Mama's Old Fashioned Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs of hamburger meat (You can use chicken or no meat if you choose)
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 can (6 oz.) Hunt's Tomato Paste
• 3 cans diced tomatoes
• 2 cans Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn 
• 2 cans cut green beans
• 2 cans sliced potatoes
• 2 cans large lima beans

Directions:

1.  (Skip to #2 if you are not including meat.) Place hamburger meat and onions in a medium pot or saucepan. Cook on medium heat until hamburger meat is done. Remove from heat; drain. Place hamburger meat and onions into a larger pot on low heat.
2. Pour all 3 cans of diced tomatoes and entire can of tomato paste into the soup. Fill 2 leftover cans with water and add. Mix thoroughly. 
3. Pour all vegetables into a strainer, then add to the soup.
4. Let the soup cook on Low heat for at least 3-4 hours.
5. Enjoy!

I hope this recipe is one you can add to your favorites list! :)

Thanks,

Kristina Gray

Beginnings...

I've been wanting to create this blog for a while, but I always found myself doing other things, like laundry, or cleaning, or playing with the babies. I am a mother of two precious boys and a wife to the most amazing man in the world. I'm currently twenty-two years old and I am a Senior at Coastal Carolina University. As my oldest, AJ, progressed from baby food to eating the same foods we were, I knew it was time to introduce him to all the recipes Aaron and I loved as a child. But, with my Mama in the hospital, it was difficult for me to learn how to make the foods I enjoyed. My mother-in-law, also "Mama", (referred to as Mama K in this blog) however, was more than willing to teach me how to cook the recipes Aaron grew up eating. She taught me sooo many recipes, and I am incredibly lucky to have learned them. Some I will share on this blog, some I won't. Just know that each is unique and amazing in its own right. My Mama was also kind enough to teach me how to make a few of her recipes. She is old fashioned, however, and so does not measure ingredients when she cooks. I hope one day I can be like her.
So, in beginning this blog, let me state that I am in no way an amazing cook. I am learning, and it is by learning that I can become like both of the mothers in my life. I will place each recipe I have completed here, along with my own notes and changes. Should anyone try these recipes, I encourage you to change them in any way that you see fit. I will accept any criticism, whether it be negative or positive.


I thought I would start with one of the recipes I have completed thus far:

#1: Chicken Noodle Casserole: Mama K taught me to make something similar to this, minus the cheese, Ritz crackers, and onions.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

3 Tablespoons of Butter or Margarine

1 Large Can Cream of Chicken Soup

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Cup Milk

3 1/2 Cups Chicken

2 1/2 Cups Egg Noodles

1/4 Cup Ritz Cracker Crumbs

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over med-high heat, cook chicken, set aside.

2. Cook noodles, set aside.

3. In a large skillet over med-high heat, saute onions in butter until onions are tender.

4. Add soup and 1 1/2 cups cheese, gradually stir in milk.

5. Cook until cheese melts, stir in chicken and noodles. 

6. Transfer mixture to a greased 2 1/2 quart casserole, sprinkle with cracker crumbs.

7. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until heated thoroughly. 

8. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and bake 5 minutes.

Results: Successful! Aaron, AJ, and Mama K loved it! :) All smiles. Hope you enjoy!

I will post more recipes tomorrow! Have a good night!

--KG