Helen's Holiday Soup by Martha Wild King, M.Ed.

A delicious, warm, and easy soup for holiday meals like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or even Thanksgiving Day, especially for those keeping it frugal. Blessings to all who enjoy this comforting family repast.

OK, now before you try The Frugal Catholic's latest recipe, here are the facts: this dish has been the property of the KINGS for decades and was especially useful for family gatherings where the hostess, Helen King, mother of Captain Mike, needed to stretch her dollars. Also, Helen was the mother of four boys and zero girls, and she needed something to fill empty stomachs. Finally, Helen knew this recipe freezes well, so you can serve it on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve too, and no one will remember. And while you are at it, buy yourself some nice soup bowls. Don't forget that mismatched soup dishes from the thrift store are all quite handsome in a row.

Enjoy and blessings this holiday season.

Helen's Holiday Soup by Martha Wild King, M.Ed.

You can make this dish easily in a crock pot of any size. Prep everything the night before, then throw it together and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Easy peasy for the holidays. Also, according to recipe notes, in 2013, I doubled it, used two crock pots, and served it over rice in attractive bowls from Goodwill. And in 2014, I noted that I pre-cooked the vegetables on the stovetop. I would definitely recommend that move.

However, if you are a purist, you can stand by the stove until it is done (an hour or two), but the author of this publication would rather let technology do the work in the plugged-in Crock-Pot while she indulges in a scotch and soda near the plugged-in tree.

1 1/2 pounds cooked ground beef (you can use just one pound too, if needed)

3 onions, finely chopped

5 stalks of celery, chopped

5 carrots, well chopped

a large can of tomatoes in juice

1/3 cup barley

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

1 and 1/2 quarts of water

Precook the vegetables, then throw everything together in the Crock Pot for 8 to 10 hours on low. Captain Mike likes his holiday soup served over white or brown rice at the bottom of his bowl.

Genesis 25:29--34--Tells how Esau sold his birthright to his twin brother Jacob for bread and lentil stew. And Esau ate and drank and went away. Thus, Esau despised his birthright.

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Martha Wild King, M.Ed.

The Frugal Catholic--Learn to Live on Less to Give and Save MORE.

Frugality gave us WEALTH, BUT the Catholic Church made us RICH.