Tortellini Soup

1/2 to 1 lb. bulk sausage (or lamb if you happen to live in the Mid-East)
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 small onion, diced
1/4 c. water
1-1/2 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. apple cider or apple juice
1/2 c. stewed tomatoes, chopped
1/2 c. tomato sauce
1/2 c. diced carrots
1 red pepper, diced
**I add all kinds of veggies to this soup. Whatever I have on hand.
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. parsley
1 pkg. tortellini (I usually use cheese or mushroom)

Brown sausage, drain. Add remaining ingredients except tortellini. Simmer 30 min to an hour. Cook tortellini separately according to directions and add to soup before serving. (If the long simmer time makes it too thick, add water or more apple juice).

Garnish with grated parmesan.

**This is one of those soups that doesn't need to be followed down to the detail. I think I've made it a little different every time, sometimes with lots of stewed tomatoes, sometimes with lots of extra veggies - just play around with it. People go NUTS over this soup.