BEEF VEGETABLE SOUP WITH ORZO PASTA

BEEF VEGETABLE SOUP WITH ORZO PASTA image

I love vegetables & for me there is no better way to eat them on a cold winters day than in a thick rich hearty soup. But because my husband loves meat so well, I knew I had to add some type of meat to it, in order to satisfy his taste palette. So the addition of Beef Chuck Roast was added to make it very hearty. I basically...

Provided by Rose Mary Mogan

Time 3h10m

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

2 lb beef chuck roast cubed
1/2 c corn starch
3 Tbsp canola oil
1 Tbsp cumin,paprika & onion powder
1 Tbsp sumac, or lemon zest
2 large yellow onions chopped
2 large red onions chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
4 stalk(s) celery chopped
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 lb whole carrots peeled & cut up
46 oz vegetable juice
64 oz beef broth
2 c red wine, ( i used sweet)
1 1/4 c orzo pasta
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 Tbsp each garlic powder & steak seasoning

Steps:

1. My husband helped me with this soup because I wasn't feeling well, he seared all of the meat, in 3 different batches, but didn't take any pictures of it being seared. I am sorry. You do not need to over crowd the pot, or the meat will steam instead of sear on all sides. I originally made a crusty bread to serve with this soup but it was all gone before I could take a picture of it with the soup, hence the crackers you see in the picture.
2. Add all the spices to a small bowl.
3. Stir to blend together.
4. Season meat generously with spice blend.
5. Add cornstarch to meat and coat on all sides. Sear meat in batches. By adding canola oil to large pot, then heat till hot, then drop enough of the beef into the pot to cover the bottom, being careful not to overcrowd. Brown on all sides, then remove meat with a slotted spoon to a large platter, and repeat till all the meat has been browned.
6. Wash, peel and chop all of the veggies and leave in pan till needed.
7. Add all of the seared meat back into the large pot.
8. Add the crushed tomatoes, & vegetable juice & bay leaves.
9. Stir to mix together till blended together in pot.
10. Add beef broth.
11. Then add the 2 cups of red wine. LOWER heat and continue to cook for at least 2 to 2 and a half hours till meat becomes very tender.
12. After about 1 and a half hours into cooking time add the chopped vegetables, and continue to cook for an additional half hour, stirring periodically to prevent mixture from sticking to bottom of the pot.
13. After 2 hours add the orzo pasta, and stir to blend, but continue to cook until pasta is tender about 10 to 15 minutes or so.DO NOT FORGET TO STIR TO PREVENT STICKING IN BOTTOM OF POT.
14. Ladle soup into serving bowls.
15. Serve with your favorite crusty bread or crackers as desired.