Living on the NC Coast is utopia… but with utopia comes…Hurricanes! We are bracing for Hurricane Hermine ( 2016) It’s gonna weaken a bit by the time it gets here, but 50mph winds are still nothing to take for granted. My prayers are with the people of Florida and the rest of the east coast.

Now, my granny and my daddy always had to have soup before the storms got to shore. I think it was because its a big, filling meal that could easily be heated and feed so many. We do the same thing with snow storms, only I’m more inclined to want Chili in the snow, whereas daddy didn’t like it.  Here is our family recipe:

You’ll Need: ( recipe can be halved, this makes a lot)

2.5 pounds of stew meat

1 large yellow onion

1 large white onion

3 large cloves of garlic ( minced)

1 heaping cup diced carrots

1 heaping cup diced celery

8-10 potatoes ( cleaned, peeled and diced)

2 (14.5oz) cans of diced tomatoes ( do not drain)

1 (14.5oz) can whole tomatoes ( do not drain)

1 (14.5oz) can petite diced tomatoes ( yeah I like ALOT of tomatoes)

4  (14.5oz) cans beef broth ( low sodium)

2 cups water

2 (14.5oz) cans green beans ( drained)

3 (14.5oz) cans whole kernel corn ( drained)

1 (14.5oz) can sweet peas (drained)

2 cups dry macaroni noodles

salt an pepper to taste

dried parsley

Now, you will need a VERY big pot. My soup pot was actually a pressure cooker that the lid got broken on, so we use it for soup, chili, stews, etc….

In your large pot add the beef with 2 tablespoons of oil, cook on high for about 5 minutes. Then add the ingredients like so….

First the onions and garlic and celery , cook for another 5 minutes.

Then comes the tomatoes ( juice and all )  stir well… add the carrots and potatoes an stir again. Then add your beef broth. Stir well. Let cook on medium high for 15 minutes. Then add the water and all the veggies. Let cook, covered on med low for 4 hours, stirring often. One hour before serving add the noodles ( but do not increase the heat) Salt and Pepper to taste.

Sprinkle with Parsley and Serve with crackers.

My family like it with a peanut butter and jelly sammich!

SOoooooooooooooooo yummy!!!