Beef soup

Beef Soup – A Traditional Romanian Delight

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Beef soup is a savory dish, full of flavors, that reminds one of family meals. This simple yet extremely tasty recipe is perfect for those who want to prepare a comforting dish that will be appreciated by all loved ones. Let's discover together the necessary steps to achieve a delicious beef soup!

Ingredients:
- 500 g beef (preferably from the shoulder or neck)
- 1 large carrot
- 1 small celery (approximately 100 g)
- 2 bell peppers (preferably one red and one green for a more vibrant look)
- 2 ripe tomatoes (or 3 tablespoons of canned soup mix for an intense flavor)
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 medium onions
- A bunch of fresh lovage
- Water (approximately 3 liters, depending on the desired consistency)
- Salt (to taste)
- 150 g noodles
- 1 egg (optional, for added creaminess)
- 100 g sour cream (for serving)

Step 1: Preparing the meat
Start by washing the beef well under cold running water, removing any skin or fat. Cut the meat into cubes of about 4-5 cm, so it cooks evenly. Place the meat in a large pot and add warm water, enough to completely cover the meat. Put the pot on medium heat.

Step 2: Boiling the meat
When the water starts to boil, foam will appear on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove these impurities, ensuring you obtain a clear soup. This step is essential for a quality final result.

Step 3: Adding the vegetables
Peel and finely chop the onion, carrot, and celery. The bell peppers can be cut into cubes. Add all the vegetables to the pot, along with the tomato paste and diced tomatoes (or the canned mix). Let the soup simmer on low heat for about 1 hour, until the meat becomes tender.

Step 4: Seasoning
After an hour of boiling, add salt to taste and the finely chopped lovage. This aromatic herb will give your soup a fresh note and an unmistakable flavor.

Step 5: Cooking the noodles
Once the meat and vegetables are ready, add the noodles to the soup and let them cook according to the package instructions (usually 5-10 minutes). If you want a richer soup, you can add a beaten egg when you add the noodles, stirring quickly to achieve a creamy texture.

Step 6: Serving
Beef soup is served hot, with a spoonful of sour cream on top and a little fresh lovage for a special look. It is delicious alongside homemade bread or polenta.

Personalized suggestion: For an even deeper flavor, you can also add some fresh mushrooms or frozen peas to the soup, which will perfectly complement the aromas.

This beef soup, with fresh vegetables and authentic flavors, is ideal for bringing people together at the table. Enjoy every bite and don't forget to share this recipe with your friends!

 Ingredients: 500g beef, 1 carrot, 1 small celery, 2 bell peppers, 2 tomatoes (3 tablespoons of vegetable broth from a jar), 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 onions, a bunch of lovage, water, salt, 150g noodles, 1 egg, 100g sour cream