While a simple beef bone broth is a great choice for a nutritious clear liquid diet meal, it might be a bit plain for some tastes. If you prefer more oomph, this Beef Consommé brimming with vegetables, herbs and spices is worth a try.
This is real consommé, made the traditional way with egg whites as a clarifying agent (that is, to make the soup nice and clear). The method may seem unusual if you have not made consommé before, but don’t be put off, it isn’t all that difficult once you get started.
For the soup base, you can use either homemade or store bought beef stock, or you can use the Beef Bone Broth recipe here as a base.
If using store-bought beef stock, make sure to buy a good quality brand, since this will greatly influence the overall flavor of the consommé.
Beef Consommé
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Yield: 2 quarts (1.9L)
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 2.5 qts (2.4L) beef stock or bone broth
- 1 lb. (450g) lean ground beef
- 5 egg whites
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 1 medium celery stick, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- 5 parsley stalks
- 2 whole cloves
- Salt to taste
Method
- Whisk egg whites in a stand mixer or hand beater until frothy.
- In a stockpot, combine egg whites, ground beef, tomato, vegetables, parsley and beef stock/broth.
- Find a small piece of cheesecloth. Place all spices except salt in the centre of the cheesecloth, and tie together with a knot, forming a spice bag. Place spice bag in the pot.
- Bring mixture to a simmer, but do not boil; you should see steam rising to the surface of the broth, but no bubbling or as few bubbles as possible rising to the surface.
- Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the beef and vegetable mixture hardens and rises to the top (this is the raft). After this has occurred, do not stir.
- Carefully break a small hole in the raft.
- Continue to simmer for 90min, allowing the liquid to bubble through the hole. Do not stir.
- Remove from heat and cool slightly. Using tongs, carefully remove spice bag.
- Strain consommé through cheesecloth to remove meat, vegetables, residue and fat. Discard or compost solids.
- Season the consommé with salt to taste.
- Serve, or cool and transfer to a jug or container and store in the fridge.
Nutritional Info | Calories: 187cal | Protein: 21g | Carbohydrates: 7g | Fat: 8g
