Espresso Beef Soup

Cook in medium or large round or oval slow cooker

Setting and cook time: Low for 7 to 8 hours

3 pounds beef stew meat, such as boneless chuck, trimmed of fat, cut into 1½-inch chunks, and blotted dry

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

Pinch of salt

Pinch freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium-size onions, chopped

3 carrots, cut diagonally into 2-inch chunks

4 new red or white potatoes, diced

6 small turnips, peeled and quartered

1 cup strong coffee

½ teaspoon dried thyme

½ cup dry red wine

1. In a zippered-top plastic bag or a bowl, toss the beef with the flour, salt, and pepper, shaking off the excess. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1½ tablespoons of the oil until very hot. Add half the beef and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining oil and beef.

2. Add the onions to the skillet and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the cooker and add the carrots, potatoes, and turnips. Add the coffee and thyme to the cooker. Pour the wine into the skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Pour into the cooker and stir. Cover and cook on LOW until the meat is tender, 7 to 8 hours. Taste for salt and pepper, and serve.

from “Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook” by Beth Hensperger, Julie Kaufman

Cook’s Comments: No matter what a recipe’s specified cook-time, you may have to make adjustments. Slow cooker temperatures vary, and there are other variables as well. A leaner, less tender cut of meat may need to cook longer. For the Skill-Share “Feast”ival, I made this recipe with beef cut from shank bones. This was very lean beef, and I cooked it over 9 hours before it was tender.

Many recipes call for browning beef, or softening vegetables, in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. Sometimes I omit the stovetop step, and simply put all the ingredients directly in the slow cooker to cook on low. (It saves time, and I’m often just as happy with the results.) --Anna