I'm going to do something a little different since I am getting very little feedback from what I am writing here. I'm going to share a short story and a recipe to go with it to illustrate what my childhood tasted like. I know it sounds weird, but it really isn't. When I was in elementary school, our cafeteria had a calendar you got at the first of the month so you could plan what you wanted on what day. I see now what that was, it was more about teaching children to plan their days around something so that they could feel grown. But that is what public school is, right? I will write something on that at some point, but to keep this "light" I will not digress on it right now. My favorite lunch was vegetable beef soup with a peanut butter sandwich. At that time the cafeteria ladies could actually cook, even bring in vegetables, fresh from their gardens TO make it. The peanut butter was sweeter than normal and I think it was the same peanut butter you get in the government boxes with the really sour grapefruit juice, government cheese (and who didn't like that when they got it), and honey. It may have been mixed with that honey, but the closest thing I have found is Amish peanut butter which is marshmallow fluff mixed into peanut butter. So get you some of THAT, and make a sandwich on some good organic bread, white is best but you can get a nice, organic white bread that isn't just bleached flour. Get it together make a sandwich and pair it with the following recipe. I call it Grandma Betty's Vegetable soup because my BFF's (Tammy) mom makes it and the first time I ever had it, all I could taste was nostalgia. Enjoy!
Grandma Betty's Vegetable Soup (always use organic or home grown for best results)
1 lb. browned and seasoned organic ground beef (I use salt and a little garlic powder), you could use stew beef. OR you could do a vegetarian one as well if that is your childhood.
12 c chicken, beef, veggie broth (I usually use beef, but not a deal breaker either way)
4 c chopped and peeled tomatoes (about 8)
4 c whole kernel corn (about 8 ears)
3 c cubed peeled potatoes
2 c green beans
2 c sliced carrots (4 med)
2 c sliced celery (4 stalks)
1 c chopped onion (1 large)
2 tbsp snipped fresh parsley
1 tbsp snipped fresh marjoram (1tsp dry)
1 tbsp snipped fresh thyme (1tsp dry)
1 tbsp snipped fresh rosemary (1 tsp dry)
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 cloves fresh garlic minced
I add a quart of fresh canned tomatoes crushed rather than the fresh tomatoes for a deeper flavor.
IF you use all fresh ingredients, you will need to simmer until veggies are tender, THEN add in the ground beef for the last bit so that your meat retains flavor. I use an Instant Pot and manually pressure it for 1-3 minutes. I like my veggies a little crisper than some so you choose.
I PROMISE that this is happiness in a bowl, and paired with a peanut butter sandwich (no jelly) you can be comforted back to being 9 holding a tray, waiting for the lunch lady to ladle this goodness into a melamine bowl, place a sandwich in the proper slot on your tray, and throw in a glass of milk? Bob's your uncle, one of the best parts of (my) childhood to be enjoyed anytime you need to feel some yummy comfort.
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