Hearty Winter Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe

Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup

Welcome to another delightful culinary adventure at lovewithrecipes.com! 🍲 Today, we are diving into the comforting and heartwarming world of Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup. This dish is perfect for those chilly winter days when all you need is a big bowl of nourishing soup to warm you up from the inside out. With tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and rich flavors, this soup is bound to become a family favorite. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get cooking!

Preparation and Cooking Times

Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s gather all the ingredients we’ll need for this delectable soup:

• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 500 grams carrots, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 500 grams beef stewing meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 1/2 cups beef stock (or more if needed)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (plus extra sprigs for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 8 new potatoes, quartered
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 300 ml sour cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 405.1 kcal
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 9.3 g
• Cholesterol: 63.1 mg
• Sodium: 976.8 mg
• Carbohydrates: 24.7 g
• Fiber: 5.9 g
• Sugars: 6.9 g
• Protein: 21.6 g

Servings

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Detailed Instructions

1. Brown the Beef:

   • Start by heating a large saucepan over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
   • Once the oil is hot, add the beef stewing meat in batches. Brown the meat on all sides until it develops a beautiful, caramelized crust. This step is crucial for building deep, rich flavors in the soup. 🍖
   • Remove the browned beef from the pan and set it aside.

2. Sauté the Vegetables:

   • In the same pan, add the finely chopped onions and diced carrots. Cook these vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and start to caramelize. The onions should turn translucent, releasing their sweet aroma. 🧅🥕
   • Add the minced garlic and cumin seeds to the pan, cooking for another 2 minutes. The garlic should become fragrant, and the cumin seeds should start to pop, releasing their earthy scent.

3. Return the Beef to the Pan:

   • Add the browned beef back into the pan. Sprinkle in the paprika, and toss everything together to ensure the beef is well-coated with the spices. Let this mixture cook for about 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. 🌶️

4. Add the Liquids and Seasonings:

   • Pour in the beef stock, making sure it covers the meat and vegetables. Add the bay leaves, chopped fresh thyme, and tomato paste. Stir everything together until the tomato paste is fully incorporated. 🍅🌿
   • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for about 1 hour, or until the beef becomes tender and succulent. Check occasionally and add more stock or water if necessary to keep the meat submerged.

5. Cook the Potatoes and Celery:

   • After the beef has simmered and is tender, add the quartered new potatoes and sliced celery to the soup. Continue to cook for another 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. 🥔🌿

6. Final Touches:

   • Remove the soup from heat and let it cool slightly. This step ensures that the sour cream won’t curdle when added. Stir in the sour cream, folding it through the soup to add a creamy, tangy element that balances the rich flavors. 🥣
   • Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning until it perfectly suits your palate.

7. Serving:

   • Gently reheat the soup if needed. Ladle it into bowls, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, and serve immediately. If you prefer, you can also serve the sour cream on the side, allowing each person to add their desired amount. 🍲🌿

Tips and Tricks

• Browning the Meat: Take your time to brown the meat in batches. Overcrowding the pan will cause the meat to steam rather than brown, which can result in less flavorful soup.
• Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables such as peas, corn, or green beans for extra texture and nutrition.
• Thickening the Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes once they are cooked or add a slurry of cornstarch and water towards the end of cooking.

Enjoying Your Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup

There you have it! A bowl of Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup that’s brimming with rich, comforting flavors and hearty ingredients. Perfect for those winter evenings when you crave something warm and nourishing. Pair this soup with a slice of crusty bread or a fresh side salad for a complete meal that will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. 🍞🥗

At lovewithrecipes.com, we believe in the power of homemade meals to bring joy and warmth to your home. This soup is not just a recipe; it’s a hug in a bowl, a testament to the love and care that goes into every dish you prepare for your loved ones. So, gather around the table, savor each spoonful, and enjoy the cozy, comforting goodness of this Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup. Happy cooking! 🥄❤️