Winter Beef and Vegetable Soup

Okay, so I'm slow to update. What can I say, we've moved and I've started a new job. The blog is not dying though, now that we're mostly settled in our new place we have some cooking plans in the works. Unfortunately, I cannot find my crockpot cookbook post-move (!), but this means that I've thought about some other non-crockpot recipes we've been wanting to try. In order to celebrate valentines day and our anniversary-one week late, I know-we plan on making use of our homemade ravioli maker. I'm also thinking that Roquefort soup, carrot soup, baked potato soup (can you tell I'm in a soup mood?), and something with yellow lentils are all in the works...plus we've been talking about making meatloaf for awhile.

Although now it's almost 60 degrees outside (!), just over a week ago there was a little thing called a blizzard. It was cold. We needed something to tide us over. Therefore, on "blizzard day" I cooked a beef stew in the crockpot. Easily adaptable for your tastes. Unfortunately, the recipe is in the crockpot cookbook that I lost, but I've written it here to the best of my ability for you to replicate.

Winter Beef and Vegetable Soup
1 lb ground beef
1 medium size onion, sliced
1 carrot, sliced
1 cup green beans, chopped
1 cup potatoes, cubed
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbs oregano
1 tbs salt
1 tbs pepper
other spices to taste
4 cups beef broth
2 cups water

Begin by browning the beef on the stove. Add the onion for a few moments. Pour onion and beef mixture into crockpot. Add sliced veggies, spices, broth, and water. Cook on low for 7 hours. Enjoy warm! Keep plenty for leftovers.