Dear Abbys Muriel Humphreys Old Family Favorite Beef Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Season the meat with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the meat to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the meat to a plate.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot, then add the onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, chopped chard stems, if using (if you are using spinach, do not add it here), garlic, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes more.
• Add the broth, 2 cups of water, the diced tomatoes with their juices, and the barley and return the meat with any accumulated juices to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the barley is cooked and the meat is tender, about 1 hour. Add the chard leaves or spinach and the dill and cook for 2 minutes more, then serve.
• The soup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for 3 months.
• SERVING SIZE: 2 1/4 cups
• PER SERVING: Calories 340; Total Fat 13 g (Sat Fat 2.5 g, Mono Fat 7 g, Poly Fat 1 g); Protein 21 g; Carb 38 g; Fiber 16 g; Cholesterol 50 mg; Sodium 860 mg; Total Sugar 9 g (Added Sugar 0 g)
• EXCELLENT SOURCE OF: copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, protein, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin K, zinc
• GOOD SOURCE OF: calcium, folate, molybdenum, pantothenic acid

Steps:

• Cut meat into small, bite-size (1/2") pieces.
• In a large pot or dutch oven, saute meat in 1 T oil on medium-high heat until all sides are brown.
• Set aside on a plate.
• Chop celery, onion, potatoes, and carrots into bite-size pieces.
• Saute celery and onion in remaining 1 T oil until onion is golden (about 10 minutes).
• Add browned beef, water, broth, tomatoes with juices, carrots, potatoes, corn, bay leaves and garlic.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until beef is almost tender, about an hour.
• Add peas and hot sauce to soup.
• Cover and simmer until beef is tender, about 30 minutes longer.
• Serve and season with freshly ground black pepper, hot sauce, or crumbled saltines, if desired.