Everything Soup

Kishka's Note:

It should really be called "Commitment Soup" because it's the kind of soup that you need to commit a Saturday or Sunday to. Not that it's tremendously complicated, it just that letting it cook for 6-8 hours does some wonderful things to it that 3 hours on the stove couldn't do. So if you are doing some weekend OAMC, throw this on and stir every so often. Feel free to substitute any veggies you prefer - just because we use 'everything' doesn't mean you have to!

• Total Time: 9 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 -3 lbs beef, cut into small cubes
• 2 large onions, diced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 24 cups water
• 3 medium carrots
• 1 large parsnip
• 2 small red potatoes
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
• 6 medium mushrooms
• 1/2 cup barley
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bunch fresh dill, tied together with
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Chop all the vegetables into bite size (they can be diced small or very roughly chopped, depending on preference). Set aside in a large bowl.
2. Heat oil in a large stockpot and sautee onion until translucent.
3. Add beef and brown.
4. Pour in water and add vegetables. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium flame and partially uncover.
5. After an hour or so, add the tomato paste and barley and continue to cook, stirring every so often to make sure the barley doesn't stick.
6. After another hour or so, uncover the pot, add the dill & parsley and allow to cook for about 20 minutes (pot lid stays off from now on).
7. Remove the herbs and raise the heat to bring to a solid boil.
8. Allow soup to reduce until it is relatively thick (soup should be reduced by about half by the end), then season with salt & pepper. Salt is key here - it brings out all the flavor.
9. Freezes beautifully - allow to cool and divide into freezer-safe containers. Use within 4 months. Enjoy!

Reviews

[bullwinkle]

I think this is the longest time I have ever cooked a soup (LOL). It made a pretty good tasting soup. Prepared as written. Thanks Kishka. bullwinkle.

[Hungarian Gypsy]

Great soup. I added a 12 oz can of tomato juice, some diced tomatoes from my garden and a small can of baby lima beans. Came out wonderful. thanks.