MARIE’S VEGETABLE SOUP

Ingredients

2 pounds beef stew meat, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon meat tenderizer
Lemon pepper and celery seed to taste
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 medium onion, chopped
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 envelope dry vegetable soup mix
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

Preparation

Place meat, salt, pepper, tenderizer, lemon pepper and celery seed in a large boiler. Add water to more than cover meat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, partially cover and let simmer about 2 hours, until meat is tender. Add potatoes and onion; return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30-40 minutes, or until potatoes are tender, adding more water if necessary. Stir in remaining ingredients. Return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes longer. Makes 8-10 servings.

—Marie Terrell, Elmore County