A delightful high-powered tomato vegetable soup that my whole family loves to eat. Adapted only slightly from a recipe by Budget Bytes, my favorite cooking blog.

Swamp Soup

Ingredients

• olive oil
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 4 large carrots (or 5 small), sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 28oz can tomato sauce
• 2 28oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable bouillon + 1 1/2 c water
• 10oz frozen spinach (about four handfuls loose frozen)
• (optional) sliced swiss cheese & oyster crackers

Instructions

In a large dutch oven, saute celery, carrots, onion and garlic in olive oil for about 5 minutes or until soft.

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and herbs. Add bouillon and water. Add spinach and bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat.

When served, top each bowl with a slice of swiss cheese and some oyster crackers.

We like this with cheese on top, or, served with grilled cheese sandwiches. Also excellent with crusty bread and cantaloupe - the fruit seems to offset the taste of the soup nicely.