Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 750 g beef shin or stewing beef
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 100 g pearl barley
• 2 litres beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• salt and black pepper to taste

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot and brown the beef well.
2. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes, barley, beef stock, bay leaves and mixed herbs.
4. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 75 minutes.
5. Add the potatoes and continue simmering for 30 minutes or until the beef and vegetables are tender.
6. Remove the bay leaves.
7. Shred or break up larger pieces of beef if necessary.
8. Season with salt and black pepper.
9. Serve hot with bread or roosterkoek.