Winter's Embrace Beef and Vegetable Medley
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Winter's Embrace Beef and Vegetable Medley. This hearty soup is packed with tender chunks of chuck steak simmered to perfection alongside a colorful array of mixed vegetables, pearl barley, and robust seasonings. Designed to fill a 4 1/2-gallon countertop roaster, this recipe yields a generous amount, ensuring that you have a warming meal ready to tackle cold winter days. Its freezing-friendly nature makes it a smart choice for meal-prepping, allowing you to savor a cozy dinner anytime. Perfect for family gatherings or quiet evenings, this soul-nourishing bowl is sure to warm your bones and your heart.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chuck Steak
8 lbs (cut into 1-inch x 1/2-inch pieces)
Beef Stock
2 gallons (use Superior Touch with 8 tbsp beef flavor and 4 tbsp vegetable flavor)
Frozen Mixed Vegetables
3 lbs (not prepared)
Celery
12 stalks (chopped)
Onions
5 large (chopped)
Whole Kernel Corn
3 (12-ounce) cans (not prepared)
V8 Juice
1/2 gallon (not prepared)
Pearl Barley
8 ounces (split into two portions)
Worcestershire Sauce
3/4 cup (not prepared)
Salt
2 teaspoons (not prepared)
Black Pepper
2 tablespoons (not prepared)
Bay Leaf
1 (not prepared)
Ground Marjoram
1 tablespoon (not prepared)
Ground Thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons (not prepared)
Chopped Stewed Tomatoes
2 (12-ounce) cans (not prepared)
Butter
1/4 lb (for browning the meat)
Instructions
1
In a heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Brown the chuck steak pieces in batches of one pound each to ensure they sear nicely, approximately 5-7 minutes per batch. If needed, deglaze the skillet with a splash of beef stock between batches to lift the browned bits.
2
Once the meat is browned, transfer it to a 4 1/2-gallon countertop roaster.
3
To the roaster, add the beef stock, chopped celery, onions, corn, V8 juice, 4 ounces of pearl barley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, bay leaf, marjoram, thyme, and chopped stewed tomatoes. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
4
Cover the roaster and set it to high heat, allowing the mixture to come to a rolling boil. Once boiling, remove the cover, and reduce the heat to 250°F.
5
Let the soup simmer for 2 hours or until the beef becomes tender, stirring occasionally.
6
After 2 hours, add the frozen mixed vegetables along with the remaining pearl barley to the pot. Stir well, re-cover, and allow to simmer for an additional hour until the vegetables are heated through and the barley is cooked.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Winter's Embrace Beef and Vegetable Medley?
It is a hearty, comforting beef and vegetable soup designed for large-scale preparation in a 4 1/2-gallon countertop roaster.
How much chuck steak is required for this recipe?
You will need 8 pounds of chuck steak, cut into 1-inch by 1/2-inch pieces.
What size of roaster is needed?
This recipe is specifically designed to fill a 4 1/2-gallon countertop roaster.
What type of beef stock is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 2 gallons of stock made with Superior Touch beef flavor (8 tbsp) and vegetable flavor (4 tbsp).
How should the beef be prepared before adding it to the roaster?
The beef should be browned in a heavy skillet with butter in one-pound batches for 5-7 minutes each.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, its nature makes it an excellent choice for meal-prepping and freezing for later use.
What vegetables are included in the medley?
The soup includes frozen mixed vegetables, celery, onions, whole kernel corn, and chopped stewed tomatoes.
How much pearl barley is used in total?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of pearl barley, split into two separate portions.
When do I add the frozen mixed vegetables?
The 3 lbs of frozen mixed vegetables are added after the soup has already simmered for 2 hours.
What temperature should I set the roaster to after the soup boils?
Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to 250°F.
How long does the beef need to simmer to become tender?
The beef should simmer for approximately 2 hours before adding the final ingredients.
What is the purpose of the V8 juice?
1/2 gallon of V8 juice is added to provide a rich, robust vegetable base for the broth.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe requires 5 large onions, chopped.
What seasonings are used for flavor?
Seasonings include Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, a bay leaf, ground marjoram, and ground thyme.
Why do I brown the meat in small batches?
Browning in one-pound batches ensures the meat sears properly rather than steaming.
What should I do if browned bits stick to the skillet?
You can deglaze the skillet with a splash of beef stock between batches to lift the flavorful browned bits.
How many stalks of celery are used?
The recipe uses 12 chopped stalks of celery.
When do I add the second portion of pearl barley?
The remaining pearl barley is added along with the frozen vegetables during the final hour of simmering.
What is the total simmering time for this soup?
The total simmering time is 3 hours (2 hours for the beef, plus 1 hour after adding vegetables and barley).
Can I use butter for the cooking process?
Yes, 1/4 lb of butter is used specifically for browning the chuck steak.
How much Worcestershire sauce is included?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce.
What size cans of corn are used?
Use three 12-ounce cans of whole kernel corn.
Are the stewed tomatoes chopped?
Yes, the recipe uses two 12-ounce cans of chopped stewed tomatoes.
What is the final step in the cooking process?
The final step is to simmer for one additional hour until the vegetables are heated through and the barley is cooked.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, it yields a generous amount, making it perfect for family gatherings or large meal-prep sessions.
How much black pepper is required?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of black pepper.
What kind of thyme is used?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground thyme.
Is ground marjoram included?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of ground marjoram is used in the seasoning mix.
Do I need to keep the cover on the roaster the whole time?
The cover is removed once the soup reaches a boil, but then replaced for the simmering stages.
What makes this a 'winter' recipe?
Its hearty ingredients and warm, soul-nourishing qualities are designed to provide comfort during cold winter days.