Hamburger Soup with Quinoa

This is my mom's recipe for Hamburger Soup.  It is a family favourite and a hearty soup for these cold winter days.  The original recipe comes from the "Great Food Fast: Dietitians of Canada" cookbook.  Over the years, we have changed a few ingredients and added quinoa.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

12 oz lean ground beef (try to get grass-fed beef)

2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup choppped zucchini or frozen green beans

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried italian seasoning

6-7 cups vegetable or beef stock (I use a gluten-free vegetable stock from Costco)

1 can (28 oz/796 mL) diced tomatoes

1/2 cup quinoa (I have also substituted a quinoa and rice mixture from Costco) 

3 cups fresh chopped spinach

1 can mixed beans, drained and rinsed (or any type of beans)

1. In a large dutch oven, brown the beef over medium-high heat.  Add garlic, onions, carrots, celery and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes.  Add basil, italian seasoning, stock and tomatoes; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 10 minutes.

2. Add quinoa (the pre-washed type from Costco); cook for another 15 minutes.  Add spinach and beans; cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.  Season with sea salt and pepper to taste before serving.

*When I used the quinoa and brown rice mixture from Costco, I cooked it separately in a pan (following the directions on the package), and added about a cup to the soup.

*When doubling the recipe, I use 1 can of crushed tomatoes and 1 can of diced tomatoes.