Minestrone Soup

This recipe proves that decreasing fat intake
doesn't mean saying goodbye to ground beef.
This soup is sure to be a hit in your home.

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
6 cups water
1 cup cubed peeled potatoes
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon pepper
5 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion until
meat is browned and onion is tender, drain.
Add 6 cups water, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage
carrots, celery, rice, basil, thyme, bay leaf
and pepper, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Discard bay leaf.
Sprinkle each serving with
1/2 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.