HEARTY BEEF VEGETABLE PASTINA SOUP

Hearty Beef Vegetable Pastina Soup image

Provided by Didi Dalaba

Time 8h25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb beef stew meat (diced into smaller pieces)
3 stick carrots
3 stick celery
4-5 smallish to medium potatoes
4 beef bouillon, cubes
1 can(s) (14.5 oz) fire roasted tomatoes
4-5 c water
1 large onion
2 1/2 tsp thyme, dried
1 1/2 c pastina (any kind, in this recipe i used rosa marina)
2 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp butter
salt & pepper to taste
1 large container (32 oz) beef broth

Steps:

1. Dice your celery, carrots and potatoes set aside. Dice your onions in separate bowl, set aside. Make sure your beef stew pieces are smaller in size to ensure even cooking.
2. Add your veggies to your crockpot. In a saute pan, add your oil & butter. Once heated, add your stew meat. Saute till no longer pink, than add your onions. Saute for 1-2 more minutes. Remove and add to crockpot as well.
3. Add your fire roasted tomatoes and thyme to the veggie/meat mixture and stir. Add your bouillon cubes, beef broth and water, salt and pepper. Stir to incorporate. Cover and let cook on low 7-8 hours. After about 6 hours or so, taste and see if you need more salt & pepper or a little more beef broth. You need enough broth to cook the pastina. If seasonings are to your taste and there is enough broth to cook your pastina with a litle to spare. Add your pastina, stir and cover again till ready in about the last 15 minutes or so...
4. Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread or rolls. We love slices of cheese along with the bread with this as well. Down home comfort in a bowl!!