Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup

This soup is a meal in itself and a really great winter recipe.

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 500  g  chuck steaks, cubed
• 1  onion, chopped
• 500  g carrots, chopped coarsley
• 2  cloves garlic, chopped
• 1  tablespoon cumin seed
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 1⁄2 liters  beef stock
• 2  bay leaves
• 8  sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra to serve
• 2  tablespoons tomato puree
• 300  g  washed new potatoes, peeled,coarsley chopped
• 2  stalks celery, sliced
• 1⁄3 cup sour cream

Directions

1. Place oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add meat and brown in batches.
2. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Add onion and carrot to the pan and cook for 5 minutes until tender, then add garlic and cumin seeds and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Return meat to pan, add paprika and toss well for 3 minutes until beef is well coated.
5. Add stock, bay leaves, thyme sprigs and tomato paste to the pan.
6. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.
7. Add more stock or liquid if necessary.
8. Add potatoes and celery to soup and cook for another 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
9. Remove soup from heat and cool slightly.
10. Fold through sour cream.
11. Season to taste.
12. Heat gently, garnish with thyme sprigs and serve.
13. Note: If you prefer, serve sour cream on the side.