Traditionally, Louisianans make this hearty soup with turtle meat, but ground beef makes a fine substitute.
Mock Turtle Soup
Yields: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 6 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ pounds ground sirloin
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 (32-ounce) container beef broth
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1½ cups tomato purée
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 6 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup sherry wine
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Garnish: lemon slices, chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion, and garlic, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add sirloin, and cook until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup water and flour until smooth.
- To pan, stir in flour mixture, broth, bay leaves, tomato purée, Worcestershire, thyme, salt, hot sauce, and pepper. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add lemon juice and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves. Stir in eggs, sherry, and parsley. Garnish with lemon slices and thyme, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Instead of stirring into the pot, sherry can be served on the side and poured over soup as desired. Just divide the ½ cup among small glasses for each guest.
My husband loved this! I was not sure but it really packs the flavor. Definitely will make again.