Italian Vegetable Beef Soup

Italian Vegetable Beef (or Pork, or Chicken) Soup

• 2 c. cooked beans (white, red, garbanzo, etc.)
• 3-4 carrots and/or parsnips, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1-2 stalks celery, sliced
• 1/4 – 1/2 head red or green cabbage, chopped
• 2 14-oz cans diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-1/2 lbs. beef, cut in 1/2-in. pieces (or cooked hamburger, pork or chicken)
• 1/2 cup of wine (or water)
• 3 c. broth (beef with beef, chicken with chicken or pork)
• 1-1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 2 c. cut green beans (frozen or fresh- add the last hour)
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the first nine ingredients into the bowl of a large slow-cooker.
2. Stir together the wine, broth and Italian seasoning and pour over the ingredients in the cooker (if the ingredients are not covered with liquid, add enough water to cover).
3. Cook on low for 7 hours (or high for 3-1/2 hours).
4. Add the green beans and cook for another hour. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and serve with some easy artisan bread.