Traditional Romanian Beef Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed
• 2 onions, finely chopped 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 parsnip, diced 1 parsnip, diced
• 1 celery root, diced 1 celery root, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 liters (8 cups) beef broth 2 liters (8 cups) beef broth
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 200g (7 oz) sour cream 200g (7 oz) sour cream
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 6g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the carrots, potatoes, parsnip, celery root, red bell pepper, and tomatoes to the pot. Mix well.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaves, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
6. 6.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaves from the pot. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the soup hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — Choose a tender cut of beef, such as chuck or sirloin, for the best results. Trim any excess fat before cubing.
• Sour cream — For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the soup just before serving.
• For a thicker consistency, you can blend a portion of the soup and then mix it back into the pot.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on personal preference or seasonal availability.

Serving advice

Serve the Ciorbă de văcuţă hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread or a traditional Romanian cornmeal porridge called "mămăligă" for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh parsley and a swirl of sour cream. The vibrant colors of the vegetables and the contrasting white of the sour cream will make the dish visually appealing.