Old-Fashioned Vegetable Soup

My Grandmother always made the most delicious homemade vegetable soup.  I never could quite replicate it and then one day I found this recipe in the St. Louis Post and it comes really close.  

Old-Fashioned Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. beef stew meat, cut into bite size chunks

1-2 TBSP oil

6 cups water

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes

1 cup peeled and sliced carrots

1 cup sliced celery

1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes

3 sprigs parsley, finely chopped

1 TSP salt (I prefer sea salt)

1/2 bay leaf, crumbled

1/4 TSP dried marjoram

1/4 TSP dried thyme

1/2 TSP chili powder

2 TSP Worcestershire sauce

2 cups tomato juice

Pepper, to taste

Brown all meat in hot oil in a large kettle.  Add water; simmer for 1 1/2-2 hours.  

Add remaining ingredients.  Simmer 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 

*Note- This soup gets better every time it is reheated.

Yields:  6-8 servings

(Recipe Source: Winner from Junior League of Indianapolis)

I am joining Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.  Please click on her link and go over to take a look at all the great recipes.