BIG BEEF SOUP, easily digested, wallet-friendly, healthy, slow-cooker

Much better for you than tinned...

 'Big' Beef Soup: easily digested; not quite a stew but filling & nourishing
'...a grand, hearty warm meal' Taster

updated Nov 2021

67 had a fondness for tinned 'Big' soups, developed when overwhelmed with research or unable/unwilling to cook due to illness.  Some brands are disappointing  -- thick and gloopy (definitely not in a good way) -- and there can be metallic aftertaste.  

But tinned soups have come a long way.  Baxters have always been a good brand but even M&S' soups have much to offer.

But given the choice, I would rather make my own. 

Big Beef Soup is light but satisfying and  full of exquisite flavour.  All the bits in it -- root veg and beef -- are soft and easily digested.  

It's great for kids; or for the ill or infirm or anyone looking for a nutritious, filling, easily digestible meal.  

Oh, and it's wallet-friendly and low-fat/salt/preservative, too.

Cost: £4'ish
Serves: 4-6

Ingred:
   7oz/200g casserole beef, in one inch cubes
   seasoned flour

   olive oil
   med onion, diced or coarsely processed
   1 1/2 sticks celery in med dice
   1 large carrot in one inch cubes
   1 coffee mug swede, peeled and cut in one inch cubes
   1/2 coffee mug sweet potato. peeled & in one inch cubes (opt)
   6oz+/180gm washed potatoes in one-inch cubes

   enough stock/water to cover beef & veg by one inch
   slug of brandy (opt)

   small handful parsley, finely chopped
   Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp

   reduced salt soy sauce (opt)

   2 tbsp rice or other flour with 1/2 ounce butter

Method:

1. Sauté the veg in 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over med low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 mins; the onions should be translucent not brown; remove veg & set aside
2. Turn heat to high; spray bottom of pan with olive oil
3. Toss meat in seasoned flour; add to pan (you may need to do this in batches), reduce heat a little; brown meat on all sides; add stock/water & brandy 
4. Bring to the boil; turn down heat to med low, let bubble 5 mins, removing scum that rises to the surface
5. Add veg, parsley & Worcestershire; pour  into slow cooker
6. Cook on high 2-3 hours or (low 4-6 hrs) until meat is tender and veg are soft 
7. Remove meat & veg; set aside 
8. Pour juices into a saucepan, bring to the boil; mash flour & butter & add; allow to thicken; add beef, veg and soy sauce, if using
9. Simmer 30 mins; check seasoning & thickness -- add water to thin
10. Serve with crusty bread or Savoury Mediterranean Cornbread

Comments:
'The soup was a grand heart-warming meal after a cold night canvassing.' Political Agent

Tips:

• The dish does not have the deep darkness of tinned beef soups which is often achieved with artificial ingredients
• make the ingredients go further with a tin of drained rinsed cannelloni beans or a handful of washed white rice or pasta before the final simmer (no. 10) 

                                                              More beef on Nav Bar: Recipes I/Beef....

Please leave a comment in the box below

This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.