Naughty, But Nice Hodgepodge Soup
Hodgepodge. Its usual meaning is a disorderly mixture. But it can also mean messy or out of sorts. So, in other words you don’t have to follow this recipe to a T. Or any other for that matter. Because hodgepodge is utter hog-wash. But it sure is damn good soup. And any way you make it, has gotta be good.
So, if this soup leaves lots to the imagination your probably right. Because it allows for a rather wide degree of variation. Along with a handful of food-faddism. Which of course, will not give wild promises of glowing health.
But might surly have family and guests coming back for more. Unless that’s not the point you planned on making.
So, in that case slow-down. Because one cannot legislate against human preference. Or for that matter glowing skin and hair.
However, a bowl full of healthy veggies is never nutritional nonsense.
Because that would be unforgivable!
Hodgepodge Shopping List
Olive Oil: 2 T
Sweet Yellow Onion & Celery: ¼ cup each chopped
Okra: ¼ cup or more diced
Carrots: ½ cup diced
Squash: 1 cup (butternut)
Garlic: 2 cloves minced
Lean Hamburger: 1 lb.
Chicken Broth: 4-5 cups
Small Tomatoes: 5 halved and 2 T tomato paste w/1 cup water
Pasta: 1/2 cup uncooked any style (try a black bean pasta)
Great Northern: 1 can
Balsamic Vinegar: 2 T
Bay Leaves: 1
Dried Basil & Oregano: ½ tsp each
S & P: to taste
HODGEPODGE PREP
In a skillet/Dutch oven sauté onion, celery, garlic, tomatoes, basil, oregano, bay leaf, pinch salt, and pepper in olive oil; 7 minutes until lightly tender. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet/ Dutch oven cook hamburger with ¼ cup balsamic vinegar until browned. Remove excess fat with spoon. Add sauté, broth, tomato paste, beans, and okra, squash, carrots; bring to boil 5 minutes. Simmer covered 40 minutes until all tender.
Soup are a great reminder that a day late is worth the wait for better flavors and taste. This is a great soup to add leftovers to—hence it makes vegetables a literal melody of perfection.
*Then re-heat slowly to serve.
HODGEPODGE NOTES. AKA HODDGY PODGGY
Let’s talk hodgepodge for a moment. Or the mishmash of colored vegetables containing high amounts of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Which by the way are very beneficial to maintain glowing skin. Also better circulation for all organs. While including enhanced vision and improved digestion.
SHEESH! THAT’S A GREAT START!
Even an assortment of beans and a potpourri of whole grain pastas have rich benefits of their own. YEP! In fact, 60-70% of all cancer related diseases link to behaviors you can control—diet being the single most important part.
DROP DEAD! NOPE NOT WITH A SOUP CHUCKED FULL OF GOODNESS LIKE HODGEPODGE SOUP!
So, include a mixture of fresh fruits and heaps of veggies. Then scatter in some beans. Add a sprinkle of whole grain pastas. And a smidgen or two of rice daily. Than you’ll be balancing your diet before you know it.
Or as I like to say: WELL NOURISHED!
Because most of the time we should have an appearance of striking vitality and wellness. Of course, a good look in a full-length mirror usually does the trick.
“OH! YUCKY!”
In that case, hodgepodge soup is a great place to start the journey.
Because this soups chucked full of mixed flavors with a melody of tastes. Jumble the ingredients around all you want for a wickedly naughty soup.
THROW IT ALL IN, WHILE YOU TAKE IT ALL OFF—it’s hodgepodge!
In conclusion, there is no single food or activity that will assure good conditioning. Because variety is the best formula.