Vegetable Beef Soup

I never used to use anything but canned tomatoes and water for soup broth until I saw this on some cooking show about 10 years ago. I’m now convinced the secret to great flavor in beef soup is chicken stock (strange as it seems!)

Carrie loves my soups.

1 lb ground beef
½ lb Kielbasa smoked sausage, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
½ green pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
½ lb frozen vegetables (corn, peas, green beans)
2 16 oz cans diced tomatoes, with juice
2 C (or 2 cans) chicken stock
Salt & Pepper to taste
Enough water to ensure vegetables are covered
½ head shredded cabbage or 1 cup chopped kale

Saute garlic, onion, green pepper and celery in large soup pot. Add ground beef; brown and drain. Add sausage and brown slightly. Add remaining ingredients except cabbage and simmer for a couple of hours, until vegetables are tender. Add cabbage or kale and simmer another 15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread.