Beefy Vegetable Soup

This beef soup was unplanned and came about because I forgot to pick up some chicken. And I forgot about the chicken because I was distracted by the beef. I should have referred to my shopping list. Drat!

While shopping at Aeon, I walked over to the meat section to look for chicken thighs. Then I saw some very nice beef shins. The beef was so fresh and beautiful that I picked up 4 packets and promptly forgot about the chicken thighs.

So instead of roasted chicken, I ended up with beef soup. Since it was unplanned and I was cooking for myself, I simply chucked whatever I liked into the pot. 

This time, instead of chopping my carrots, daikon and potatoes into chunks, I grated them instead. Yes, more work but I just wanted to do things differently.

I am happy to report that this soup turned out well. The flavors came from the sauteed onions, garlic and ginger which was further enhanced by a cinnamon stick, a star anise and a tablespoon each of cumin and coriander powder. The rest of the magic was contributed by the beef and grated vegetables. And two cubes of chicken stock cubes :)

Beefy Vegetable Soup

Recipe source : Phong Hong 
Note : This recipe is much simplified since it was cooked impromptu. If you want a tastier beef soup, please refer to the recipe here

Ingredients :

- 350g beef shin, cut into cubes

- 1 big onion, sliced

- 4 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 inch ginger, grated 

- 1/2 inch cinnamon stick

- 1 star anise

- 1 tbsp cumin powder

- 1 tbsp coriander powder

- freshly ground black pepper

- 2 medium carrots, grated

- 1 medium daikon, grated

- 1 Russet potato, grated

- 2 tomatoes, quartered

- 2 stalks celery, sliced

- 2 chicken stock cubes

- 1 litre water

Method :

1. Heat oil in a pot and saute onions until softened.

2. Add garlic and continue to saute until lightly browned.

3. Add minced ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, cumin and coriander powder and saute briefly until aromatic.

4. Add beef and fry until meat changes color.

5. Add water, stock cubes, tomatoes and celery. Bring to a boil and lower the heat and simmer for an hour.

6. Add grated carrots, daikon and potato and continue to simmer until beef is tender.

7. Season with pepper.