Emeril's First Alphabet Soup

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped yellow onion
• 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
• 2 teaspoons Baby Bam, recipe follows
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup alphabet pasta

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and Baby Bam, and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
4. Add the chicken stock, water, pepper, and bay leaf.
5. Stir well and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 35 minutes.
7. Add the alphabet pasta and stir well.
8. Simmer until the pasta is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
9. Using oven mitts or pot holders, remove the pot from the heat.
10. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
11. Baby Bam Seasoning:
12. 3 tablespoons paprika
13. 2 tablespoons salt
14. 2 tablespoons dried parsley
15. 2 teaspoons onion powder
16. 2 teaspoons garlic powder
17. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
18. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
19. 1 teaspoon dried basil
20. 1 teaspoon dried thyme
21. 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
22. Here's something to season your foods, like the grown-ups do with Emeril's Original Essence.
23. Add another dimension by sprinkling it into everything, from soups and sauces to pizza and hamburger patties.
24. You fearless bammers out there can kick this up a notch by adding cayenne, to taste.
25. (I'd start with about 1/4 teaspoon, and then take it from there.)
26. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir well to combine with a wooden spoon.
27. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
28. Yield: about 3/4 cup

vegetable oil, yellow onion, celery, carrots, bam, garlic, chicken broth, water, ground black pepper, bay leaf, alphabet pasta

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-first-alphabet-soup-recipe.html (may not work)