Stewp: Stewy Soup for the Ages

Stewp is an old family favorite, kinda like our Scrap Soup , but beef and tomato based rather than chicken and broth based.and thicker like stew, although easily soup. Hence: Stewp!

Stewp offers a nice way to clear out leftovers, too, this time some boneless ribeye steaks, and half a pint of black eyed peas, along with some other assorted beans and veggies.

It makes a great summer or winter dish, freezes well and makes a good campfire meal, too, cooked on the spot or boiled in a vacuum bag.

• Meat of choice - 1 1/2 cooked boneless ribeye steaks in this case, cubed
• 2 medium potatoes - cubed
• Onion - diced, 1/2 cup
• Garlic - minced, 1 clove
• Carrots - chopped, 1/2 cup
• Black-eyed peas -1/2 cup
• Dried lentils - 1/4 cup
• Dried split peas -1/4 cup
• Frozen or canned corn - 1/4 cup
• Tomato sauce - 8 oz can
• Tomato salsa - 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons

2 cups water

Seasoning

• Chili powder - 2 tablespoons
• Basil - 1 teaspoon
• Cilantro - 1/2 teaspoon
• and/or Italian Seasoning - 2 teaspoons

Dice and mince onions and garlic, and saute in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium low heat until translucent and fragrant.

Chop up your meat and add to sauteed onion and garlic.

Add one 8-oz can of tomato sauce and stir.

Chop and add your potatoes and carrots.

Wash your dried lentils and split peas, and add those and whatever other beans you like (we used a little bit of leftover black eyed peas) and stir well, keeping the whole thing simmering over medium low heat.

Add 1 cup of water to start, and then add water as needed or desired throughout the rest of the cooking process, to get the consistency of stewp you want.

We love using fresh tomato salsa in our cooking, and it works really well in this dish. Add two tablespoons of the salsa, or chopped tomatoes if you prefer, and you chili powder, basil, cilantro and salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly.

Bring the whole thing to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.

Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed.

Toss in a little hot sauce and you've got a wonderful, hearty and healthy bowl of stewy soup to enjoy!