Tomato Wild Rice Soup

The fixings for a perfect lunch or an elegant first course. Truly homemade, this soup tastes like you went out to the garden and picked fresh tomatoes. The opposite of bland canned--and delicious with grilled cheese sandwiches. Makes 8 cups Cook all day in a slow cooker or 2 hours in a pot on the stove Instructions: Stir package ingredients into 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 to 1-½ hours. When rice is fully cooked, add tomato sauce and simmer 10 to 30 minutes more. Add cooked ground beef or shrimp, if desired. Leftovers can be frozen. Ideal for next day or at-work lunches.