Southern Soup & Stew Staples

“Who but a god could have come up with the divine fact of okra?”
- James Dickey

When you think of the south you think of food. Southern food isn’t just a means to an end, it is an entire event. Growing up in the South, I’ve been blessed to partake of some sinful southern soups and stews in my day, and I’m going to share some of them with you today.   Here are a few southern soup & stew staples.

HAMBURGER BEAN POTATO SOUP
1 cup dried navy or pinto beans, rinsed
3 quarts water
1 can (1lb 12 ounces) tomatoes
1 cup diced celery
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups diced, peeled potato
4 beef bouillon cubes
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 pound ground beef
Grated parmesan cheese, optional
Place beans in a large saucepan. Heat to boiling and boil 2 minutes. Remove and let stand one hour. Heat beans again and cook over low heat 20 minutes. Stir in tomato, celery, carrot, onion, potato, bouillon cubes, and bay leaf. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer one hour. Brown the hamburger and break
up with a cooking spoon. Add meat to soup and cook one hour longer or until beans are very tender. Taste, add additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve in large soup bowls with grated Parmesan cheese, and a loaf of bread. 8-10 servings.