HEARTY VEGETABLE SOUP

this picture does not do this soup justice. this soup was really good and really easy to make!

1 lb. veggie beef (i prefer morningstar farms)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 c. water
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into 3/4" cubes
1-14 1/2 oz. can italian diced tomatoes, undrained
1-15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. sliced carrots
1 tbsp. dried parsley
2 tsp. dried basil
1 bay leaf

in a large pot saute the onion, celery, and carrots in the olive oil with the salt and pepper. cook over med-high until vegetables soften.

meanwhile, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. drain and set aside. in the same pot you cooked the potatoes in, cook the beef according to package directions and set aside.

when vegetables are cooked through, add the water, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, dried parsley, dried basil, and the bay leaf.

bring to a boil and then simmer on low for 10 minutes. When there is only 2 minutes until the soup is done, add the beef and potatoes and stir together well.

make sure to discard the bay leaf before you serve!