RUSTIC CABBAGE, BEEF AND BUCKWHEAT SOUP

Rustic Cabbage, Beef and Buckwheat Soup image

A few of the Côtes du Rhône in the recent tasting exhibited some elegance, but most wore more heavy flannel than silk, making them satisfying to sip on a raw day with a hearty plate of grub. In Provence you might dig into a beef daube. But since the distinctive accent of Provençal terroir was not so evident in the glass, I went elsewhere.This thick, rustic beef soup relies on a winter larder: cabbage, celery, turnips and even buckwheat groats. Some smoke from bacon and paprika echoes the wines. And a whiff of orange zest sends a postcard from Provence.

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 ounces smoked bacon, diced
1 pound stewing beef, in 1-inch cubes
1 onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chopped green cabbage (about 1/4 medium head)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
7 to 8 cups beef stock
Salt
pepper
2 medium white turnips, peeled and diced
1/2 cup whole buckwheat groats (kasha)
Sour cream for serving, optional

Steps:

In a four-quart Dutch oven or other heavy pot, cook the bacon on medium heat until lightly browned. Remove, leaving the fat in the pot. Add the beef and cook over high heat until lightly browned. Remove. Return the bacon to the pot and add the onion, celery, garlic and cabbage. Cook on medium heat until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the paprika and zest.
Return the beef to the pot. Add 7 cups stock, season with salt and pepper and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Stir in the turnips and groats. Cover and cook 30 minutes. If the beef is not tender, cook it a bit longer. Adjust the salt and pepper and serve with sour cream on top, if desired. If the soup is set aside before serving or refrigerated overnight, more stock may be needed for reheating.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 264, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1199 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams