1 lb. beef stew meat
4 c. beef bouillon (or broth)
2 bay leaves
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Parsley
Basil
1 sm. onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot
1 potato
1 (28 oz.) can tomato puree
1/2 c. alphabet noodles

OPTIONAL:

1/4 c. barley
1/4 c. rice

Cut meat into bite size pieces and brown in a frying pan. In a large pot, bring broth or bouillon mixture, bay leaves, salt, pepper, parsley, basil, chopped onion, and chopped celery to a boil. Add browned meat and reduce to a simmer. Add shredded carrots and potatoes. Stir in tomato puree. Continue to simmer about 1/2 hour. Next, add alphabet noodles (and/or rice/barley). Cover and simmer 1 hour, continually stirring soup. Enjoy.