Snow Day Vegetable Soup Recipe

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 large white onion, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 garlic clove, minced
3 large white potatoes, fresh or frozen, diced
3 large carrots, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons basil
1 or 2 bay leaves
Garlic salt
3 1/2 quarts chicken broth of water
2 1/2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
1 cup green beans, fresh or frozen

Melt butter in a large Dutch oven and add celery, onions, green onions, garlic, potatoes and carrots; sauté until slightly tender. Add parsley, thyme, basil, bay leaves and stir to combine. Season with garlic salt. Add chicken broth and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Add green peas, corn and green beans. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove bay leaves. Serve with crackers and garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired. Serves 8.