1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
3 c. broccoli, chopped
2 cans (4 oz.) mushroom pieces or 1 c. fresh mushrooms, chopped
1/2 c. celery, chopped
1 c. carrots, sliced
1/4 c. green pepper, chopped
1 qt. tomato juice (or V-8)
1 c. water
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. oregano

Brown beef (fry pan or broil or microwave); drain off fat. Add vegetables, juice, water, seasonings. Place in crockpot, cook on low 8 to 9 hours. Freezes well.

Decrease water to 1/2 cup for crockpot. May simmer covered 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Pork-Cabbage Soup: Substitute ground pork for beef and chopped cabbage for broccoli and 1/2 c. chopped onion for mushrooms.