Pam's Vegetable Soup & Lays Chips Give-away!

Does summer remind you of soup? Summer reminds me of my mom’s Vegtable Beef Soup.   She learned to make it, growing up in a large family, from her mother.  Neither of them needed a recipe, so it was a bit of a deal for my mom to think through how much of which ingredients she puts in it.  I sure am thankful she did – my kids asked me to make it just this week.

It’s full of flavors from the garden, easy to cook on the stovetop, and just the light meal I’m looking for when the heat is on.  It’s a true Midwestern meal, and makes a huge pot – enough to freeze, take to a potluck meal, or share with a neighbor.   You can pair it with sharp cheddar cheese & crackers, a grilled cheese sandwich, or some homemade bread.  No dessert needed!

Pam’s Vegetable Soup

Although this recipe can be made with frozen or canned ingredients, I’m often blessed with their fresh counterparts in summer, especially corn, carrots, green beans, and tomato juice.  And eating it reminds me of the family, friends & farmers who made the meal possible.

 What are your favorite flavors of summer?  Frito Lay is challenging us to think of which regionally-inspired flavors sound yummiest to our taste buds … and they’re offering a tasty temptation for thinking about it!  One of my readers, just you TSJ folks, will receive a variety pack of Lay’s Regional Flavors potato chips.  Timely, right, since I was planning this post anyway? 

To enter the random drawing, just reply in “Comments” to this post {communication by e-mail and Facebook are not eligible}.  Join the conversation by answering these two questions:  

1. What is your favorite Midwestern flavor?
2. What Frito Lay Regional Flavors potato chip flavor would you most like to try?

 Need a list of all the regional flavors the Lays folks have developed?  Here ya’ are …

•  
  •  Northeastern U.S. – Lay’s Honey Mustard
  • Midwestern U.S. – Lay’s Creamy Garden Ranch
  • Northwestern U.S. – Lay’s Balsamic Sweet Onion
  • Southwestern U.S. – Lay’s Chipotle Ranch
  • Southeastern U.S. – Lay’s Cajun Herb & Spice

 {FYI – I’d like a nibble of the Balsamic Sweet Onion or some Cajun Herb & Spice myself.}

Contest Details:  Comments will be open until August 21 around 9 pm.  After that time, I will randomly select & notify the winner to obtain a mailing address where the goodie package can be sent!  One entry per person.  Must be 18 years or older to enter.  Only comments to this post will be considered eligible; Facebook and e-mail responses will not be included.

Disclosure:  Frito Lay invited me to participate in this shin-dig.  They’re providing the reader gift, and my recipe serves as an entry into a blogger contest, too.  My opinions, ideas & recipe are all my own.