Well Fall is upon us so I thought I would post up one of my favourite soups/stews. This is perfect with fresh bread after a day out in the cool weather.

Autumn Soup

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 4 cups water*
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup cubed pared potatoes
• 1 cup carrots
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp bottled brown bouquet sauce
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp basil
• 6 tomatoes*

In a large saucepan, cook and stir meat until brown. Drain off fat. Cook and stir onions with meat until onions are tender (transparent), about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients except tomatoes; heat to boiling. Reduce heas; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Add tomatoes; cover and simmer 10 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.

* 1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, with liquid can be substituted for the fresh tomatoes. Reduce water to 3 cups. Stir in tomatoes with other ingredients; heat to boiling and simmer for 20 minutes.

I usually use can tomatoes (plum) and remove some of the seeds in a bowl. The bottled bouquet sauce is Kitchen Bouquet which is good for browning gravy as well as this soup - so useful to have on hand.

I’m actually having it tonight!