mmm..mmm...good

I just made a big batch of vegetable soup from a recipe off the net (I ad-libbed a little) and it tastes exactly like a bowl of Campbell's vegetable soup from the can.

This probably isn't a ringing endorsement but i'm pretty fucking proud.

Of course it could just be the gin martini i consumed while cooking it that has gotten me so excited but whatever. I'm two bowls in and going for my third. So much for my January cleanse.

Two Steps' Campbell Veggie Soup wannabe:

1/2 head red cabbage chopped
1 can whole tomatoes (fine herbs and spices kind) chopped
1 large red pepper chopped
1 zucchini chopped
1 large red onion chopped
1 small cooking onion chopped
1 package onion soup mix
sprinkle of beef stock powder
2 cloves garlic chopped
8 whole peppercorns
1/4 cup barley but could have used more
1 can black beans
handful of baby spinach
1 bay leaf

• Combine all ingredients in large pot (except spinach)
  
• Pour in enough water to cover by 1 inch (the stuff all floats so just guess)
• Bring to boil
• Reduce, cover and simmer 90 min
• Add spinach just before serving
  
• Add salt/pepper to taste

To serve, pour in big bowl and crush nabisco saltines into it till content.