Friendship Soup

I love this recipe - it is one of the best comfort food recipes and I have been making it for years.  It is very easy to make!  This is a "stick to your bones" soup - it is full of healthy legumes and grains.  It's named Friendship Soup because it makes a pot big enough to feed you and a bunch of your friends when they stop by after a long walk on a chilly, west coast winter afternoon. Serve with a green salad and some fresh crusty bread for a memorable meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef

garlic powder and pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules*
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup uncooked "small shaped" pasta (alphabet or elbow macaroni are my favorites to use here)
1 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 6 ounce can of tomato paste
12 cups water

*Cook's note:  If using your Epicure Beef Bouillon (very low sodium, no artificial colors or flavors) like me, you may want to add a little salt to taste once the soup is almost ready.

To prepare:  
1.  In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain any excess fat.
2.  Add all the other ingredients EXCEPT for the pasta.
3.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.  Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
4.  Stir in pasta, cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until the pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender.      That's it!

      Have fun sharing your pot of soup with friends and family...