Steak Soup

     I'm realizing that being a Food Blogger allows opportunities for friends to share their great recipes!!!  Luckily my friend, Helen, was bragging about her wonderful Steak Soup, ...naturally I had to give it a try, wielding a few twists and turns to make it my own.  The results were a perfectly satisfying comfort dish, especially this time of year!!!  Whip up a batch on the next chilly afternoon, then sit by the fire and slurp, errr....''soup''` away the evening  ;)

Ingredients~
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Yellow Onion, diced
1 heaping Tablespoon chopped jarred Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
1 Zucchini, diced
5 Stalks Celery, diced
8oz sliced Mushrooms
1 cup shredded Carrots
2-3 stalks torn Kale Leaves
3 pounds 96% lean Ground Beef
1/2-1 pound small Purple or Red Potatoes
1 Sweet Potato, diced
28oz Crushed Tomatoes 
1 Tablespoon Beef Bouillon granules
28oz Water
15oz can of Garbanzo Beans
15oz can of Tri Colored Beans
15oz can of Black Beans
15oz can of Dark Kidney Beans
Heavy Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

     Heat EVOO in skillet, add Onions, Garlic and Cayenne til golden brown.  Add Zucchini, Celery, Mushrooms, Carrots and Kale til crisp tender and Kale wilted.  Meanwhile, brown Ground Beef in separate skillet, drain and place in soup pot.  Add vegetable mixture when done cooking, and add remaining ingredients and simmer 20-30 minutes til potatoes are fork tender.  Serve and enjoy  :)

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