Dad’s Vegetable Soup

This isn’t a fancy recipe by any means.  It’s so simple that a recipe really isn’t even needed.  But it’s so good, and since I seem to make it constantly I thought it deserved a place on the blog.  It’s a family-pleaser, and perfect for when you don’t want to have to think too much about dinner.  When I was a kid my Dad worked a lot.  When I was very young he worked nights and went to school during the day to get a degree in business.  Then later on he opened his own business, the first of three that he ran simultaneously, pretty much on his own.  We didn’t get to see him much because he was stretched so thin.  But when he was home he never once let on that there was anything else on his mind but us.  My brother and I never knew how worried he was about how he would pay the bills or get the next customer.  We just knew that he loved to spend time with us.  Every once in a while Dad would come home a little bit early and quietly begin making this soup.  He didn’t cook a lot back then, but when we saw him in the kitchen poking through the freezer or the pantry we knew this soup must be coming.  It was such a treat to us.  I remember how impatient I’d be waiting at the table for it to finish cooking.  I don’t think it had anything to do with the actual soup – I think it was just the novelty of having him there that made us so excited.  I remember putting ice cubes in my bowl because I didn’t want to wait long enough for the soup the cool before shoveling it in my mouth.  (I’m no more patient now, but I guess I’ve just gotten used to the feeling of a burnt tongue.)  

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1. Taco Soup
2. French Onion Soup – The Easy Way
3. Loaded Baked Potato Soup
4. Quick Black Bean Soup
5. Buffalo Chicken Soup