School Soup for the Soul: A Bowl of Comfort
After hearing so much talk at home about the soup that was served at school, Mother decided to go see the cafeteria staff. She asked if they were willing to tell her how to make the soup. After they agreed, she wrote it down on a small index card. She started making the soup for our family later. We called it "School Soup" because we couldn't think of anything else. When I went to college far away, I would go home on weekends. Mama would always call me before I got there on Friday night to ask what I wanted for dinner. "School soup" was the answer every time.
I knew I would smell it cooking on the stove as soon as I walked in the door. The smell of homemade soup makes you feel safe. The writers didn't choose "Chicken Soup for the Soul" as the name of their best-selling book of inspirational stories by chance. But if I ever put together a book of stories that make you feel better, I think I would call it "School Soup for the Soul."
You can't buy a book at the store that has the recipe for School Soup. It will also not be on any restaurant lists. I'd be happy to give you the recipe. It's written on an old index card and kept in my wooden recipe box.
Soup at school
- 1 48 oz. can tomato sauce
- Fresh, lean ground beef, 1 pound
- 1 bag frozen mixed veggies
- 1 8.5 oz. can lima beans
- 1 14-ounce can of whole tomatoes, peeled and mashed with their juice
- 2 diced potatoes 2 diced medium onions
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
The tomato juice was boiled. Slowly add the ground beef that has been broken up. Cook the beef until you can pull it apart. Add salt and Worcestershire sauce, as well as potatoes, onions, and a variety of other veggies. Cook veggies over medium heat, stirring them every so often, until they are soft.
As needed, salt the food.
