Potato Sausage Soup

2 onions, chopped
1/2 cup butter
4 cups diced potatoes
1 10-16 ounce package of frozen, mixed vegetables
1 pound Polish sausage, sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
3 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cups milk
3/4 cup dry potato flakes
Salt & black pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley

Directions
Slice the sausage at an angle and sauté in frying pan until it gets brown. This also cuts down the fat. Using a large saucepan, brown onion in butter. Add the cooked and drained sausage slices.

Add potatoes, carrots, green peppers, sausage, water, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook on low, for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are creamy.

Add milk and cook until heated through and then add instant potato flakes. If you want a creamy potato soup add a 1/2 cup potato flakes, or if you want your soup thick like stew add 1 cup of potato flakes.

Let soup sit for approximately 5 minutes in order to thicken, sprinkle with parsley, and then serve.