"Southern Living" Homemade Vegetable Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. lean beef (for stewing), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 Tbsp. shortening
1 qt. water (boiling)
1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes (undrained), chopped
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 celery stalk with leaves, cleaned and chopped
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. uncooked brown rice
5 medium carrots, scraped and sliced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

Preparation

Brown meat in shortening in a large Dutch oven.
Add water, tomatoes, onion, celery, salt, pepper and brown rice.
Bring mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 hours.
Add carrots and potatoes; stir well.
Cover and cook over medium heat an additional 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Ladle soup into individual bowls; serve warm.
Yields 3 quarts.