Homestyle Minestrone Soup

• 5 lbs lean ground chuck, browned and drained
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I sometimes will add a few beef bouillion cubes to this soup, but then I cut the salt out altogether)
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, simmered til the beans crack open
• 1 tablespoon garlic-flavored olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 5 cups water
• 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed,3/4 to 1 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup sweet basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded cabbage (1 inch wide shreds)
• 1 (15 1/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can cut green beans, drained
• 1 (16 ounce) jar ragu spaghetti sauce ("Chunky Gardenstyle, Tomato, Garlic, & Onion")
• 3 (14 1/2 ounce) cans red gold stewed tomatoes
• grated parmesan cheese (, Optional)

1. Browning ground chuck and seasonings in a medium-large frying pan, drain and set aside.
2. Simmer the kidney beans in a small sauce pan (The beans will crack open in about 20 minutes).
3. Chop, then saute the fresh vegetables in the olive oil, using a large stew pot, covered (about an 8 qt pot would be perfect).
4. When the onions and celery are somewhat clear, add the water, potatoes, and seasonings to the stew pot.
5. Cook on high heat til it comes to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium, cover and slowly boil for 8 minutes, or until the carrots are done.
6. Add the cabbage and let it cook, covered, for another 5-8 minutes, or until the potatoes seem to be half-cooked.
7. Add the ground chuck, kidney beans, and the remaining ingredients, bring to bubbling, then simmer for 10-15 minutes more, or until potatoes are done.
8. Don't allow the potatoes to cook too much or they will just fall apart.
9. Serve steaming hot with crackers& crusty buttered bread.
10. Sprinkle some parmesean cheese ontop, if you want.
11. For all you vegetarians, simply omit the ground chuck, cut down 1- 1/2 cups of water and I think it would taste great!
12. I hope you all enjoy my soup!

lean ground chuck, bay leaf, garlic, ground black pepper, salt, dark red kidney beans, garlic, carrots, onion, celery, green bell pepper, water, potatoes, garlic, ground black pepper, italian seasoning, sweet basil, salt, cabbage, whole kernel corn, green beans, tomato, red gold, parmesan cheese

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/homestyle-minestrone-soup-22388 (may not work)