I have just discovered another reason for living...Mr. and Mrs. T Bold and Spicy Bloody Mary Mix. It's a party in a glass - and that's without vodka! I don't drink, which is odd, because really, who needs a drink more than me?!? Living with the mister should give me a pass on that! But I do love my mocktails...and this spicy-kick-in-the-pants mix is a great way to jump start the day. And, as it turns out, it's a great way to end the day as well! I love the flavor of this mix so much that I came up with this soup - it's made in the crock pot and it couldn't be easier - 4 hours later you've got yourself one heck of a meal!
Stew beef, dredged in flour and then seared on the stove top, gives this soup a nice hearty flavor. The pan used to cook the meat is deglazed with vegetable broth and then the meat and the broth are poured into the crock pot, along with the Bloody Mary Mix and the veggies. No other spices are needed, it's all taken care of by the mix. I liked this a lot, as did the mister (he was thrilled when he saw the mix in the fridge, until he was told there was no vodka to go with it, just meat!)
The "bold and spicy" bit shouldn't scare you off - this soup is not all that spicy but it does have a nice little zippity-do-dah to it that will have you wanting to make it again!
Bloody Mary Soup - Pots and Pins
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks
1/4 cup flour
plastic Zip-lock style bag
1 bottle (33.8 oz.) Mr. and Mrs. T Bold and Spicy Bloody Mary Mix
1 container (32 oz.) vegetable or beef broth
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
3 carrots, sliced
2 parsnips, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 cup green beans, sliced into 1-inch pieces
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
Plug in crock pot and turn to high. Place beef pieces in plastic bag with the flour and toss to coat evenly. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake excess flour off of beef pieces and put about 6 or 7 pieces at a time into skillet. Brown evenly on all sides, then remove to a plate. Repeat with remaining pieces of beef. When all of the beef has been browned. deglaze skillet with about 1 cup of the vegetable broth, stirring to loosen up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour contents of the skillet and the remaining vegetable broth into crock pot; add beef pieces. Add remaining ingredients. Cover with lid and allow to cook, on high, for 4 hours. Serves 4 to 6.
