Tuesday, December 7, 2010

lunch at work

I've been wanting to share this soup recipe with you, and I realized at work that I was about to eat the very last bowl of this particular batch. Since I wanted to post a picture with the recipe (of course), I ended up photographing my lunch at work. Weird, but no one said anything. This is the Hearty Beef/Vegetable soup I made for the soup party and the one I was simmering on this night. It's delicious, hearty, and full of healthy things. I'm making this again for our Winter Solstice celebration and I thought you might like to too. Scroll down for the recipe.
Also in my lunch were these home-grown feijoas. I love this little plastic knife/spoon thing my mother brought back from New Zealand several years ago. It's perfect for eating a feijoa. Slice it in half, using the serrated edge, then scoop out the flesh with the spoon (I think it's meant for eating kiwis but works so well for this too). Does anyone know where I can get more of these? It would be great to have 3 or 4 of them for family lunches.

Okay, here's the recipe. Enjoy!

Hearty Beef/Vegetable Soup

This comes from my mother, who got it from a Farm Journal cookbook years and years ago.

1.5 lbs. stewing beef
6 c. water
3 beef bouillon cubes (I use "Better than Bouillon")
1 1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1b. can of tomatoes cut up (I've been using the tomatoes I froze from summer)
2 large carrots, sliced
2 large celery stalks, sliced
1 c. chopped onion
1/3 c. barley
2 c. finely shredded cabbage
1 can navy beans (sometimes I cook beans from scratch, separately)

Combine beef cubes (I cut them up into bite sized), water, Better than Bouillon, salt, pepper, and garlic in Dutch oven or kettle. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours, or until beef is tender. Add the barley after the first 45 minutes.

Add tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onion; continue simmering for 15 minutes. Add cabbage and continue simmering 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add beans and heat through.

20 comments:

Kristen said...

Thanks so much for this yummy recipe! I can't wait to try it!

Luisa said...

Ok this looks yummy I'm going to try this after my next grocery run. I think I have most of the ingredients in my freezer.

nicole said...

try REI for a spork. Also the bambu company makes something similar.

Anonymous said...

I'm in NZ and if your mother remembers where (or what sort of place) she got it from I could try hunt one down for you.

Anonymous said...

http://www.zesprikiwi.com/spife.htm

or I just found this link that might help you, they seem US based.

Anonymous said...

I love feijoas, Do you where can I get the seeds. I live in Malysia right now so I don't if it is easy to get here.

Di said...

Sounds lovely!

The spoonfork is for eating kiwi fruit!

Jessica said...

Yum! We are big on soup this time of year because 1. it's comforting during this chilly time of year 2. it makes so much leftovers during this busy holiday season! (No cooking nights!)
I can't wait to try this recipe. Looks like something we would enjoy. Thanks!

potter jotter said...

I love making soups in the cold winter months and its a good way to get the kids to eat vegetables. Will definitely try this one!

Andrea said...

I've never heard of a feijoa...they look fun! Do you realize how lucky you are to be eating home-grown fruit (not frozen) in December??

PatsyAnne said...

This makes my mouth water - will make it this weekend to eat with hot out of the oven biscuits and a salad... now I've typed it I realize that I can hardly wait until Saturday - but tonight I'm making chicken soup with small matzo balls... I love this soup on a cold night - not Jewish but the matzo balls are incredible with the bits of chicken and celery (and sometimes added thin egg noodles)...

Unknown said...

I love that you took a picture of your lunch! Does it freeze well? Will your little boys eat it? I'm looking for healthy soup for picky eaters
Sarah

{call me satch} said...

i have been stopping by your lovely blog for a while now, i made your dinner rolls recently and am a massive fan of feijoa's being a kiwi girl !!!!! i love your family meal photos especially :)

Harriet said...

I'm NZ based too and you can get the spife in packs of kiwifruit that you buy. Got one myself and love it. I buy the boxes occasionally and can save some up for you and send them over if you like. email me at harriet.toa@gmail.com if you do - just might take a wee while :-)

Lia said...

That soup looks yummy. Thanks for sharing.

Susan said...

Thx for posting this recipe! Looks delicious! We are freezing here on the east coast so soup is a must!

Aimee said...

http://www.zesprikiwi.com/free-spife.htm

I got some free at our Fred Meyer/Kroger store about a year ago, but looks like they have some here!

Mary Beth said...

Thank you so much for all the nice comments and "spife" suggestions. Harriet--maybe we can do a little "swap." I'll e-mail you!

AMY said...

YUM....it looks so good! I copied it down and plan on making it!

Thanks for sharing, I'm a new follower.

Amy's Life @
www.amyclairejacob.blogspot.com

dodi said...

I just made this two nights ago. The past month, we have been living on simple, not so go for you meals and I needed something warm, easy to put together, and good for you. This fit the bill, and I'm so glad I did it. It will definitely be a staple for this up-coming winter season. Thank you for sharing! :)