Hearty Chicken Vegetable Stew

I just threw this together last night for our dinner. Everyone loved it so I figured I had better get it down on paper and post it!

Hope you enjoy!

6 med	Potatoes	cubed
1 med	Onion	chopped
3 stalks	Celery hearts	chopped
2 cloves	Fresh garlic	crushed
3 cps	Water
2 tblsp	Mrs. Dash	My favorite is the Garlic and Herb flavor but I recommend you use whatever season-all you like best.
1 tbls	Salt
4 - 15 oz	Cans Chicken Broth	undrained
2-3 cps	Frozen mixed veggies	I used a bag that had green beans, corn, carrots and peas. You use your favorite veggies!
3 - cans	Stewed tomatoes	Chop tomatoes with blender or mini chopper or by hand. I prefer to have them in small chunks rather than pureed so go easy on the button of whatever appliance you use.
½ tsp or to taste	Fresh Grated Nutmeg	My new favorite ingredient in soups and stews. You may use the regular nutmeg in a tin if fresh is not available.
¼ cp	Sugar
3 lg. cans	Chunk Chicken Breast	Preferably Kirkland's brand or use 3 lg. chicken breasts cooked and cubed

Combine first 8 ingredients in 8 qt stock pot. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce to medium and cook for 15 minutes. Add frozen veggies, bring back to a boil and cook for another 10 minutes. Add stewed tomatoes, sugar then grated nutmeg and stir. Finally, add your chicken and gently stir 3 or 4 times. (Do not over-stir or canned chicken will fall apart and become stringy.) Bring to one final boil then reduce heat to Med. Low, cover and cook for 30 minutes.

Stir soup gently again 3 or 4 times. Reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes more and then you're ready to eat!

Tip #1- If soup looks too thick before you reduce to simmer for the last 30 minutes, add water or chicken broth until you reach the desired consistency. Also, at this time, you may adjust spices to taste. Bring back to boil once more then drop temp back to simmer for the last 30 minutes.

Tip #2 - This soup is best if you let it cool in the pot for about 20-30 minutes before serving.

This recipe should make 6-7 quarts of stew and is great served with just crackers or for a heartier meal have it with cornbread!