Simple & Basic Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved

1 teaspoon dried parsley or fresh parsley

2 quarts Beef broth OR Vegetable broth OR Chicken broth

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.

ADD the carrots and celery to the melted butter and cook until semi-soft.

Stir in tomatoes with their juice, and  parsley.

Pour in beef OR vegetable OR chicken  broth.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender and flavors are well blended.

OPTIONS:

Add 1/2 cup of dry uncooked pasta noodles of choice to the broth and vegetables and cook for 20 minutes until soft

Add 1 cup of cooked chicken cut into cubes for added nutrition (protein) OR cooked beef cut into cubes/small pieces for added nutritional value.