Really Lazy Soup

A thick, rich, filling soup or 'Potage'



Ingredients:

1 package of fully-cooked meatballs - whatever kind you like
(Aidell's Turkey, with Pineapple and Teriyaki add a little "zing"--the smaller diameter is nice; Foster Farm turkey ones are tasty; the Italian variety has a bit of Italian spices)
4 cans Progresso Tomato Basil Soup
(adjust number of cans based on how liquidy you prefer your soup)
1 package frozen peas or green beans or chopped spinach
1 package frozen niblets corn
1 small package frozen chopped onions
1 small package frozen chopped peppers (if available)

Use 4-6 quart deep pan.

Quickest cooking method:

Defrost all the frozen stuff in microwave (one bag at a time, slit); just until fully thawed.
Put soup in pan, turn on medium-high.
When it reaches a simmer, add fully-cooked meatballs and all vegetables.
You won't need more salt; there's plenty in the soup.
Feel free to add pepper and other spices to taste.
Heat through and serve.

Not quite so quick cooking method:

Put soup on to heat.
Put tad of oil in skillet, add onions, cook 5 minutes.
Add peppers, cook 5 minutes.
Add meatballs and pepper/onion mixture, and vegies in with soup.
You won't need more salt; there's plenty in the soup.
Feel free to add pepper and other spices to taste.
Heat through and serve.

All-day and forget-about-it cooking method:
(Adjust soup and vegies down sufficiently to fit in cooker)

In the morning, put soup in slow-cooker on "High". Cover.
Thaw vegies, peppers, and onions in microwave.
Add meatballs to slow-cooker.
Add thawed vegies to slow-cooker.
When it begins to "steam", stir and turn to "Lo".
Re-cover, leaving lid ever so slightly ajar.
You won't need more salt; there's plenty in the soup.
Feel free to add pepper and other spices to taste.

If you are at home, check on it and stir every couple of hours or so. If not, check on it when you walk in the door; remove lid if it is too liquidy for your taste, stir. Serve any time.

Preparedness:

You can keep the ingredients in the freezer and shelf. Then you can feed 6-8 people on the spur of the moment within 30 minutes.

Leftovers:

For singles or couples, you may freeze the leftovers in serving-size bags or containers for quick thawing and re-heating.  For families, use gallon ziploc freezer bags, after filling lay horizontal, let it settle, and freeze on cookie sheet until solid.  It will thaw much more quickly if you lay it horizontal--less dense that way.

Notes:
You may use any vegies you like, but frozen carrots are rubbery and frozen potatoes are grainy.

Serving Suggetions:

Serve as is, or with toasted bread and/or grated cheese on top.