Soup's On

Cooler weather calls for comfort foods. And in our family homemade soup tops the list.

This recipe has been refined over the years with some changes to the ingredients, but the one constant is fresh herbs. If you don't have access to fresh herbs then dried is fine. Just use a little less.

Sage Sausage Soup

In a large crockpot or soup kettle add the following:

One large onion and one clove of garlic (more if you desire)

One ring of smoked sausage or sausage of your choice

40 ounces of fresh tomato juice and tomato quarters

Bring this to a slow boil in order for the sausage to cook all the way through. Then, turn down the heat to a simmer or low on the crockpot.

Simmer for several hours.

Add two medium size potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks.

Add one can of pinto or kidney beans (leftovers work very well).

Add two carrots chopped into small pieces

At this point decide if more broth is needed. If so, add about a cup or two of more tomato juice or water.

Add a large handful of chopped herbs with sage being the focal point. We like to add lovage, sage, a tad of rosemary, basil, and parsley.

Simmer for another half hour (while the cornbread is rising in the oven)

Delish!