Steak And  Potato Soup          




Ingredients:
1 pound beef sirloin cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, diced small
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped
2 medium-sized potatoes, diced ½-inch
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 pint half & half
2 cups water
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon finely ground white pepper
2 tablespoons good quality beef base (concentrated beef stock, not granular)
¼ cup cornstarch plus ¼ cup cold water
¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Directions:         
Heat a large, heavy soup pot and add both oils. Add the meat, onion, garlic, dill and potatoes. Saute for 15 minutes until meat is browned.

Stir in the onion powder, white pepper and beef base. Allow mixture to cook another 5 minutes.

Stir in the cream, half & half and water. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender.

In a container with a tight-fitting lid, add the cornstarch to ¼ cup cold water and shake vigorously to blend. Slowly add this mixture to the simmered soup while stirring.

Allow soup to simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes.

Garnish servings with a sprinkling of sliced green onions.

Serves 6.