Mama’s Hamburger Vegetable Soup is the top soup at my home. But I have a confession to make. Soups are the number one most difficult recipe for me to post. This frustrates me greatly, as it creates an even bigger struggle for me as a SIBO blogger because nourishing soups filled with homemade broths have been one of the top three healing tools of my SIBO journey. Because of bone broth, I was able to nourish my body and even develop muscle mass after many long years of malnourishment from illness. I used bone broth in single serving soups for myself as well as in soup and stew recipes for my family. Broth-filled meals are such a staple that we will even eat stews twice a week during a hot Rocky Mountain summer. But more than a staple food, soups and stews are a work of art.
When I was in middle school, I was often the first person home from school or work so I was tasked with getting our evening meal started. My mama would set out ingredients before she left for work and explain to me how to make the recipe. Later, when I got off of the bus after my day of classes and started preparations on the food I would call my mother and she would instruct me over the phone with anything I forgot. Sometimes, especially with the more difficult recipes, she would instruct me through each step asking for detailed feedback so she could “see” what I was creating. While my mama was still at work and closing out her day, she would teach me the ins and outs of food as her mother and grandmother had taught her. Sometimes she would tell me a story about the recipe, and sometimes when we were both tired, we would stay on the phone in silence as each of us savored the other’s presence.
Later in the evening, when my mama arrived home we would season the meal together. My mama would open the cupboards to dried herbs and spices and the magic would begin. She would turn simple prepared ingredients into a flavorful creation as if taking a mediocre, painted canvas and adding colors of light and gold to make an exquisite masterpiece. While my mama’s culinary knowledge while I was a child was not extensive or professionally trained she taught me what she knew about herbs that go together and spices that will ruin a meal if overused. And she inspired in me a love for creating delicious meals.
As I grew older and spent time with my grandmothers they each continued the oral tradition of explaining the best recipes. Almost all of my family heirloom recipes I make by taste and not by written instruction. To this day, I can explain to you how to cook a recipe better than I can write about it. In my heart soups should never be confined to a recipe or a sheet of paper but created as a work of art to showcase the season’s rich and dainty flavors or to nourish the specific needs of the body. Sitting down and writing recipes is really hard for me. Since I began Journey Through SIBO, I have wanted to post this recipe about my Mama’s Hamburger Vegetable Soup. But I was stuck with some sort of recipe writer’s block.
When I was diagnosed with SIBO, I converted my mother’s recipe to a lower carbohydrate version and tried to balance the vegetables to a version my body liked. In order to be SIBO compliant I had to take several of the ingredients back to their most simple form and rebuild the recipe from raw form. As I learned more about herbs and their healing power I varied the dainty edibles to what my body craved or what smelled pleasing. Over the last four years I have made this soup so many times and with so many variations to accommodate the needs of my body that I am not sure I could even tell you the original recipe. But two weeks ago, a dear family friend sat down with me and asked me to explain step by step how to make this soup. As I was explaining the soup, my friend kept track of the ingredients and we were able to put words to the best SIBO version of this soup that I have made. While the recipe is not a replica of my mama’s original recipe, it is a wonderful SIBO safe soup with unlimited variations. I am sure one day Journey Through SIBO will house many more delicious inspirations of my Mama’s Hamburger Vegetable Soup.
Mama's Hamburger Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb hamburger
- 1 cup chopped leek (green part only)
- 2 Tbs fresh minced rosemary leaves
- 2 Tbs fresh minced thyme leaves
- 3 cups chopped purple cabbage
- 1.5 cups chopped zucchini
- 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
- 28 oz diced tomatoes (fresh or canned with no preservatives) (I use Pomi)
- 3-4 cups broth or water
Instructions
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Place the oil, chopped leek, and half of the rosemary and half of the thyme into a large soup pot and heat over medium until the aromas and leek begin to blend and melt.
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Add the hamburger to the leek and herbs and brown.
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Next add the cabbage, zucchini, and carrots. Add a small amount of broth or water. Place a lid over the pot and let the vegetables steam.
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Stir the vegetables every five minutes or so and add more broth or water as needed.
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Add the remaining herbs, broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stirring occasionally, let cook for about 10 or 15 minutes for the herbs and tomatoes to soften and blend into the soup.
Recipe Notes
This recipe makes a fairly large pot of soup. We usually serve this soup with crackers and cheese.
Dad says
Your momma did a great job!
Elena Wistey says
She sure did!
Dawn says
Loved!
Thank you for sharing.
Sara says
Love this recipe. I’ve made it several times and shared with friends. Thank you!
Tiffany says
I’ve been making this once a week since I was diagnosed with SIBO. It’s so good, so healthy, and so easy! Thank you so much for posting!
Robert G. says
This is really quite good! I don’t have any in the house at the moment but I’m thinking a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano cheese on top of this would really put it right over the top and add one more layer of flavor to really round it out.
Riki says
This is a really nice recipe, thank you for sharing. I also found out I have SIBO, and I am glad to know that others are getting better and sharing their journey!