Hamburger Soup

I was getting ready to mail this recipe to a friend when I thought, why not just share it with everyone!  I'm a soup lover and love finding a great recipe.  I must confess that Jason asked me often enough to make hamburger soup and I found the idea a little repulsive for some reason...  Maybe I thought that hamburger should be reserved for things other than soup...  Who knows!  Anyway, one day I was motivated and came across this recipe on a fellow bloggers blog.  (Forgive me though, because I cannot remember where!) 

As it turns out, I love hamburger soup!  I make a batch and we usually have it for supper and then I freeze the rest in single serving containers for lunches.  Mmmmm... hamburger soup with cheese and crackers.....  If you like a thick, hearty soup this might be the one for you!

Hamburger Soup

1lb ground beef (lean)
16oz can of diced tomat0es witht the juices (I like Hunts Italian)
1 onion chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 can of tomato soup
1/3 cup of pearl barley
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 tsp dried basil (add oregano and thyme as well if you didn't use Hunts Italian tomatoes)
1 bay leaf (I don't bother...)

In a large pot sauté ground beef.  Drain off fat.  Add onion, celery and carrots and continue cooking until onions are soft.  Stir in remaining ingredients along with 5 cups of water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  If you used a bay leaf don't forget to remove it.

Bon appetit!