One or two of my friends have asked just why I'm
so obsessed with the making and posting of recipes about something like vegetable
beef soup? A very good question!
Answer: From more than one
health experts view, a well planned vegetable based beef soup hits many
of the key nutritional marks needed for any health-centered diet
program! Let's take a look at the minutia of what's involved!
The Meat! - Gasp!
Beef – For any vegans out
there – the mere mention of meat is a big turn off! But, hold on!
As a species, we've consumed meat as part of our diet for hundreds of
thousands of years. If you go back just ten thousand years, or so in the
past, (right before we began an agricultural diet of mostly grains); we all
had lots of fresh meat as a key part of our dietary intake – And, most men and women were lean and mean. No heart attacks (cardiovascular disease didn't exist), no dental caries and no cancers or many of
the other deadly problems that stalk us today! The fact is, most of the
palaeolithic peoples died of injuries inflicted by a life in the
rough or by predation by other larger animals! By all historical accounts,
these 'primitives' were more healthy than the best of our
Olympic athletes living today! (How do you think we, as a species, made it through all those years - and so wonderfully thrived! )??
Beef – fresh, preferably
grain fed – ~300 grams – Sear in a pan and then add to the pot!
The Veggies!
Carrots – Carrots are a root
crop that were most likely not enjoyed by earlier palaeolithic
peoples! But, that's a sad thing, as they bring much to the human
nutritional table. Carrot seeds have been found in Switzerland and
Southern Germany dating to 2000–3000 BC so we have a very long
history with them as a dietary additive! Like most of the veggies
that are in this mix, they add a blast of micro-nutrients whose long
term effects are still unknown today, but thought to be beneficial to
long term health!
2 Carrots – peeled and
chopped!
Potatoes –
Yet another root crop with a close genetic affiliation to tomatoes! The
potato is best known for its carbohydrate content (approximately 26
grams in a medium potato). (Think energy, cellular energy)! It
provides bulk, offers protection against colon cancer, improves
glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lowers plasma cholesterol
and triglyceride concentrations, increases satiety, and possibly even
reduces fat storage. A good ingredient to bring to this soup party!
1 med Russet potato – peeled and
cut into small chunks!
Celery, red cabbage, onion and bell
peppers – OK, by now you've seen the future! Your getting
fiber, more micro-nutrients than you can count and more importantly – they add
lots of flavor!
¼ cup of each –
hacked into small pieces like a fiend! Toss in with wild abandon!
Directions:
OK, those are the basics! Take a small
pot – add 2 cups of water and half a 6 ounce can of tomato sauce to
get the swimming pool set. Then, add the braised beef and the veggies
and a dash of cayenne pepper, basil, oregano, fake salt and pepper!
Simmer for about an hour, or until the carrots are fork tender, and
serve to a very happy intestinal track!
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