Ingredients

The following ingredients have 2 Servings
  • 2 pounds of stewing beef, cut into 1 inch cubes. (I recommend beef chuck or short ribs cut off the bone. See notes below)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 10 ounces of white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 6 ounces of shiitakes mushroom caps thinly sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks of celery, diced
  • 6 large cloves of garlic, roughly chopped (2 tablespoons)
  • 12-16 cups low salt chicken broth or homemade chicken stock
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup toasted buckwheat groats, also called Kasha
  • 1 1/2 pounds yellow flesh Idaho potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 broccoli crown, cut into small florets

Instruction

  • Season beef generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large heavy soup kettle or Dutch oven until very hot. Add half the beef and sauté, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, about five minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest of the beef cubes. Transfer to the plate and set aside.
  • Add mushrooms, onions and celery to the pot. Sauté vegetables, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, or until the water released by the mushrooms is evaporated and the vegetables just start to brown. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for one minute.
  • Return the beef to the pot. Pour in 12 cups of chicken broth, carrots, thyme, bay leaves,1 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
  • Add buckwheat and potatoes. Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes longer.
  • Add broccoli and simmer for a final 5-10 minutes. If you want a thinner soup, add more chicken broth. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.