Hearty Vegetable Stew or Witches Brew

Hearty Vegetable Stew or Witches Brew
We’ve made this vegetable stew every year on Halloween for about ten years. The ingredients change depending on what it’s in the refrigerator. We try to use fresh ingredients, but sometimes have to use canned vegetables. In the olden days I would use two cans of mixed vegetables and be done with it, but now that we cook from scratch, we use fresh vegetables. The bouillon paste is super concentrated and sold near the broths.You can substitute your favorite broth or soup stock.		Total Time: 8 hours Serves 8
1 lb. ground beef	In deep skillet, brown over medium heat, about 10 min Drain excess fat, if any
1 (6 ounce) can whole kernel corn 1 (15 ounce) can green beans 1 (15 ounce) can black beans 1 large onion 4 stalks celery ½ head cabbage 4 large potatoes 1 cup carrots 4 garlic cloves ½ cup brown minute rice	Drain all cans of vegetables and place half in each slow cooker. Chop Slice, about ¼ inch Chop, about 1” squares Dice, about ¼ inch Cut into ¼ slices or use matchstick carrots Mince Add ¼ cup to each slow cooker
1 (46 ounce) container Spicy V-8 Vegetable Juice	Add half to each slow cooker
2 teaspoons Beef Bouillon Paste or 2 teaspoons Vegetable Bouillon Paste	Dissolve in 2 cups boiling water, add to slow cooker along with ground beef Dissolve in 2 cups boiling water, add to vegetarian’s slow cooker
Salt and Pepper to tastes 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon celery salt Dash cayenne pepper Dash paprika Dash oregano Dash thyme Dash of crushed red pepper flakes 2” stalk of fresh rosemary 2 fresh basil leaves	Add ½ of seasonings to each slow cooker. Adjust for taste preferences Mince Mince
	Cook on high for 6 – 8 hours