Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

This adaptation of the Korean dish Muguk incorporates the flavors and ingredients commonly found in the Americas. While the original Muguk is a clear soup made with beef and radish, this Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup features a thicker broth and a variety of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions. The addition of aromatic spices like garlic, thyme, and bay leaves further enhances the flavors, giving it a distinct taste that is reminiscent of the Americas. We alse have the original recipe for Muguk, so you can check it out.

• 1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cubed 1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 6 cups (1.4L) beef broth 6 cups (1.4L) beef broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, diced potatoes, minced garlic, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Sauté for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
3. 3.
   Return the browned beef stew meat to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Serve the Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef stew meat — For a more tender result, you can marinate the beef stew meat in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and black pepper for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Garlic — To bring out the flavors of garlic, mince it finely or use a garlic press.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker broth, you can mash some of the cooked potatoes with a fork before serving.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or peas to customize the soup to your liking.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future meals.
• Serve the soup with crusty bread or cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup in individual bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread or cornbread for a delightful and filling meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some additional fresh parsley on top of the soup just before serving. Serve it in colorful bowls to make the vibrant colors of the vegetables pop.