The Easiest Vegetable Soup You Will Ever Make - And It Tastes Good Too!

 This is a super-easy vegetable soup that my sister-in-law showed me a number of years ago.  I just made a pot because Mike has a bad cold and asked for it.  This soup is easy because:

• it uses very few ingredients;
• most of the ingredients can easily be varied;
• you can use up leftovers from your refrigerator; and
• it's ready in half an hour.

The ingredients are:

• 1 package frozen vegetable gumbo mix
• 1 can northern beans, mixed beans, pinto beans, or whatever you have on hand
• browned ground beef - however much you like
• V-8 juice to whatever soup consistency you prefer.  

The V-8 juice is critical because it gives a better taste than plain tomato juice.  I think the gumbo mix is necessary because the okra in it adds to the soup consistency; however, if you are adamantly against okra I suppose you could use plain mixed vegetables.  And if you don't like canned beans, leave them out.  When making a lot of soup, use one bag gumbo mix and one bag plain mixed vegetables.  Or whatever you like.

Mix in pot; bring to a boil; put burner on low to low-medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, for a half-hour or so.  Quick, easy, and it is GOOD.

p.s. For a family member who likes things hot - he can add hot sauce at the table.  :-)