Any ideas would be appreciated.

Combine all ingredients in a very large pot or crockpot. Let simmer about 1 1/2 hours on top of stove or all day in a crockpot on low. Add additional water if soup becomes too thick.~~Fare to Remember
NOTE: Tastes better reheated & freezes well.

Lentil Soup with Beef
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 large celery stalks, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
6 (14-ounce) cans beef broth
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice
2 cups (about 11 ounces) lentils, rinsed
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Heat the oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper. Add half of the beef and cook until brown, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining beef. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, rosemary, and oregano to the pot. Saute until the onions are translucent, about 8 minutes. Return the beef and any accumulated juices from the bowl to the pot. Add the broth and tomatoes with their juice. Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the meat is just tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Add the lentils. Cover and continue simmering until the lentils are tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Season the soup, to taste, with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Minestrone Soup

Recipe By :Becky Chatham
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Crock Pot Soups
Tested and Approved

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound beef shank or stew meat
6 cups beef broth
1 onion -- chopped
2 carrot -- sliced
2 celery stalk -- sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper
16 ounces diced tomato -- undrained
1 zucchini -- thinly sliced
16 ounces garbanzo beans -- rinsed and drained
16 ounces kidney beans -- rinsed and drained
2 cups chopped cabbage
1 cup elbow macaroni -- uncooked
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In slow-cooking pot, combine beef with broth, onion, carrots, celery, salt, thyme, parsley, pepper and tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours. Remove beef from bones; cut up meat and return to pot. Turn control to high. Add zucchini, beans, cabbage, and macaroni. Cover and cook on high for 30 to 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with cheese.

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Basic Vegetable Soup:
2 or 3 pounds Soup Meat and Bones, Beef Shank w/bone
Veal Knuckle (have butcher crack)
for a rich brown broth; brown meat and bones in a
350° oven.
3 quarts water (can use vegetable liquor)
2 tablespoons salt
1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes, undrained
1 or 2 large onions, chopped
1 cup green peas
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup baby lima beans
1 cup cut green beans
1/2 cup uncooked medium barley
2 tablespoons choped parsley
1/4 teaspoon crushed thyme
1/4 teaspoon sugar

In a large stock pot, place meat, bones, water, crushed thyme (also 8 to 10 pepper corns). Heat to boiling. Simmer 2-1/2 to 3 hours, or until meat is tender.

Remove meat and bones. Cut up meat and reserve. Strain broth and skim off fat. Add cut up meat. Add barley, parsley, and simmer for 1/2 hour. Then add vegetables in order required for doneness, peas last....over a period of another 1/2 hour. Take care that vegetables do not become mushy.

At this point adjust seasoning...salt and pepper to taste. Add 1 tablespoon Aromatic Bitters (optional) just before serving.

My Own Note: Any addition or substitution can be made; pasta, lentils, rice, corn, broccoli, etc. Double recipe for freezer.
I am always looking for marrow bones to make Marrow Dumplings to be added to this soup.

Cover and let it simmer for about an hour....taste....does it need salt? Pepper? maybe the tang of a little bit of red wine vinegar.
Don't make it hard....just add what you have. You could also add lentils, or beans, or barley or rice....
make it your own.
Linda C