Basic beef consommé

Makes about 2 litres

Consommé can be made with beef, minced chicken legs (bones removed) or game. Once made it can be frozen and used as a base for lots of interesting soups. Add shredded meat and vegetables, or follow the suggestions above for an Italian or Chinese soup.

Consommé can be made with beef, minced chicken legs (bones removed) or game. Once made it can be frozen and used as a base for lots of interesting soups. Add shredded meat and vegetables, or follow the suggestions above for an Italian or Chinese soup.

3 litres cold beef stock (a good cube will do)
300g shin of beef, minced or finely chopped in a food processor
1 small onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 stick of celery, roughly chopped
Half a leek, roughly chopped and washed
A few sprigs of thyme
1tsp tomato puree
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 egg whites

Finely chop the vegetables in a food processor with the thyme and tomato purée. Add the beef and egg white. Mix well with the cold stock in a saucepan; a whisk is good for this or use your hands. Slowly bring to a simmer stirring a couple of times in the first few minutes, then leaving it. As it comes up to a simmer the egg white and meat mixture will form a solid crust. Don't be tempted to stir - just leave it to simmer very gently for an hour. Carefully strain the consommé through a colander or strainer lined with some double folded muslin or a clean tea towel.