TSAM-THUK (TSAMPA SOUP)

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Tsam-Thuk (Tsampa Soup) image

I have yet to make this, but here is what Beyond the Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China has to say about it: "There is something soothing and sustaning about tsam-thuk, as this classic soup is called in Lhasa dialect...a beeth broth thickened with tsampa...there's a seductive taste, almost nutty, from the roasted grain, and a smoothness on the tongue from the blend of tsampa and the butter aded at the last moment."

Provided by Shire Born

Categories     Meat

Time 30m

Yield 4-5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup barley flour, dry roasted in a skillet until golden
1/2 small daikon radish
6 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons peanut oil or 2 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
3/4 lb boneless beef round steak, cut into 1/4-inch wide strips
2 -3 cups water
1 -2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 cups baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • To make sure your flour is fine enough, pass it through a fine sieve and set aside. Peel the daikon radish and grate into long strands. Set aside.
  • Pour 3 cups of the broth into a wide, heavy pot and bring to a boil. Add roasted flour and stir until smooth. Add remaining 3 cups broth and bring to a boil. Add radish strands and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Bring the 2 tablespoons of oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and saute gently for several minutes. Add the meat strips and 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce, raise the heat to medium-high and cook, turning once, just until the beef has changed color, about 3 minutes total. Use tongs to life out the meat and set it aside. Add the onion and oil or butter to the soup.
  • Deglaze the skillet by placing it over high heat, add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to detach any browned bits of caramelized juices, then add the flavored water to the soup.
  • Add an additional cup of water and bring back to a simmer. Add meat and soy sauce to taste, maintaining the simmer. Add spinach leaves to the simmering broth. When they turn bright green, after a minute or two, add the butter and stir to blend.
  • Serve hot soup in large bowls with bread.

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