Mix-n-Match Soup Recipe

The following recipe is not only easy and delicious, it’s also a simple way to use canned, dried, and other easily stored food items. 

Mix-and-Match Soup (makes 8 generous servings) 

BROTH (choose one)

• Tomato: One 12-oz. can tomato paste PLUS two 16-oz. cans tomatoes with juice (chopped) PLUS water to equal 10 cups total

• Chicken/Turkey: 10 cups broth OR 4 bouillon cubes dissolved in 10 cups water

• Beef: 10 cups broth OR 4 bouillon cubes dissolved in 10 cups water

PROTEIN (choose one — 1 pound or 2 cups, cooked)

• Ground beef, browned

• Leftover meatballs or meatloaf, chopped

• Cooked chicken or turkey (cut up)

• Ham (cut up)

• Lentils

• Frankfurters, sliced (or any sausage or Kielbasa)

• Pepperoni, sliced

• Beans, cooked or canned (pintos, kidney, Great Northern, or a mixture of whatever you have on hand)

GRAIN (choose 1 or 2 — total of 2 cups)

• Rice, cooked (any variety)

• Barley, cooked

• Pasta, raw

• Corn

• Dumplings (add near end of cooking time)

VEGETABLES (raw, cooked or canned, choose 2 or more — total of 1 – 2 cups)

• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Onion
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Parsnips
• Broccoli
• Peas or pea pods
• Cauliflower
• Bell pepper
• Zucchini (add raw)

SEASONINGS (choose 2 – 4 spices, 1 – 2 teaspoons each)

• Basil
• Cayenne (dash)
• Chives
• Cumin
• Garlic
• Marjoram
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Oregano

TO PREPARE SOUP: 

Bring broth to a boil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven. Add all ingredients; salt and pepper to taste; reduce heat; simmer one hour. 

SLOW COOKER PREP: 

Pour boiling stock and other ingredients into slow cooker and simmer 8 – 12 hours or overnight on LOW setting. 

*This recipe was excerpted and adapted from my little book, Mix-and-Match Recipes: Creative Ideas for Busy Kitchens.’