Veggie Medley for those Cold Nights

It has been a little chilly in Mid MO lately, but today it’s much nicer…a cool 68 degrees and the sun is finally shining again. Yesterday it rained ALL DAY long. Which is good… we need a good slow rain here.When the weather turns cold and blustery out there is one food a turn too – Soup and Stew. I think these are some of the easiest meals to make. Why? Because you can go wild, be creative, and throw whatever you have the fridge in a pot or slow-cooker.

Here is one of my favorite throw together soups and remember these are just suggested ingredients. When it comes to making your own your can add whatever veggies, seasonings, and even change the meat up if your wish. I will say though, I would use beef broth instead of water, it gives your soup a much richer flavor and depth. If you have to use the beef and chicken cubes try to not use very many...those are packed with sodium.

Lane’s Beef Vegetable Medley
1 1/2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
1 small onion, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup of okra (if you have any on hand)
5 new potatoes, peeled and cubed in quarters
½ tsp of each (parsley, sage, basil, and cumin)
3-4 cups of beef broth
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon salt

Place beef in a slow cooker. Pour in broth. Stir in onion, tomatoes, mixed vegetables and potatoes. Season with ingredients. Cook on low 8 hours.

Lane's Italian Chicken-Veggie Stew
4-5 chicken tenders, cut into 2 inch bites
2 squash
2 zucchini
3 cloves of garlic, minced
some carrots, cut
1 small onion, diced
1/2 cup white wine
4 cups of chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of Italian seasonings
1 can (28 oz.) of crushed tomoatoes
4 new potatoes, diced and quartered

Coat large pot with oil and add veggies, except potatoes. Let cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add wine and scrape the bottom of your pot to grab all those wonderful bites and pieces. Add garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Add stock, potatoes and tomatoes as well as all your seasonings. Cook for 3 minutes

Place cut up chicken in pot...your liquid will poach your chicken. Cook at medium heat for 15-20 minutes.

Serve both of these meals with a good sourdough bread and a salad.