super bowl

Sometimes there is nothing more comforting than a big bowl of stew for dinner. Now, if your carnivore is anything like mine, he may wonder what you are having for dinner after the soup appetizer, but I promise you can beef it up (pun intended) enough to fill up anyone. This bowl of soup is simply super.

To make these two stews gather these ingredients:
Two quarts of broth, at least one veggie
1 package of stew beef
1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
2 bags of frozen mixed veggies
2 carrots peeled and diced
2 small yukon gold potatoes, diced
1/2 large white onion, finely diced
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 can of white beans
2 tblsp of olive oil
salt and pepper
italian seasonings
1 lb of elbow pasta

Start by with either two crockpots, or two large pots, or one of each. Put the heat or flame on low. Add in 1 tblsp of oil to each. Add the beef into one with some salt and pepper. Next add half of the onions in each. In the vegetarian one add in the celery (you can also add this to the carnivore pot if your guy will go for it). Next add in the broth and  frozen veggies to both. My hubs like the plain mix with green beans and peas, I like the more exotic one with okra and lima beans. Pick what works for your family. (It is all more veggies than my carnivore would normally eat.) Then pour half of the can of tomato sauce in each. In the veggie pot, add the white beans for protein. Then add in the fresh carrot and potato to each. Salt, pepper and season both. I like italian seasonings like oregano and garlic, but you can add just about anything that appeals to you. Stir each (with separate spoons) and cover. Let cook for several hours - til the veggies are fork tender. In a separate pot boil salted water and cook elbow mac according to package. When you are ready to eat, put a bit of pasta in a bowl and then top with the stew. Eat while steaming hot.

The great thing about these stews is not only can you set one or both up in a crock pot at the start of the day and forget about it, but you can also freeze your leftovers (there will be plenty). Simply defrost and reheat over a low flame or in the microwave whenever you need a quick meal. One tip though, don't add in the pasta til you are ready to eat. Storing it in with the rest of the goodies will lead to all your broth disappearing and your pasta growing to gargantuan size.

Humble and hearty, this stew will have you coming back for more. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. I am entering this in the Charity Souper Bowl in honor of Miss Kitty.