Venus de Milo soup

Finally, here's something other than the Meditation of the Day or an announcement about something.  I'd like to share with you a recipe for one of my favorite dinners, Venus de Milo soup.   The recipe says that it yields 12-15 servings but I think you really could get more.  If you have leftovers, this will make a perfect lunch the next day!

INGREDIENTS -

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 large onion, chopped or 3/4 cup frozen chopped onion
3 quarts water
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 package frozen mixed vegetables
1 can tomato sauce
1 can whole tomatoes, chopped up
1 cup orzo pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS - 

In a stockpot, brown the ground beef with onion.  Drain and discard fat.  Add water, celery, and soup mix.  Simmer 20 minutes.  Add vegetables, tomato sauce, tomatoes and orzo pasta.  Bring to a boil again.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer 15 minutes.  My family usually eats biscuits with this soup and it's a great complement.  Enjoy!  Serves 12-15

*This recipe was taken from the O Taste and See Some More Cookbook, published in 2003