Kaiser Consommé

Kaiser Consommé Recipe - Traditional Austrian Beef Soup

Region / culture: Austria | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 2 hours | Servings: 4

Introduction

Kaiser Consommé is a classic and elegant soup that is perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests with a sophisticated dish. This clear beef broth is served with a veal and bread dumpling that adds a rich and savory flavor to the soup.

History

Kaiser Consommé has its origins in Austria and Germany, where it was traditionally served to royalty and nobility. The name "Kaiser" means emperor in German, reflecting the regal and luxurious nature of this dish. This soup has been enjoyed for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for formal dinners and celebrations.

Ingredients

500 g beef
beef bones
root vegetables (parsley, carrots, celery stalk)
0.5 onion
2 liters water
250 ml cold water
salt

For the soup body

200 g sautéed veal
1 roll
milk
1 egg
2 egg yolks
salt
pepper
nutmeg
shot of heavy cream
butter
breadcrumbs
chopped parsley for garnish

How to prepare

To begin, cube or mince the beef and add it to 2 liters of cold water.
Then stir in the beef bones, root vegetables, and 0.5 onion. Bring to a boil and let simmer for at least 1.5 hours (should not exceed 2 hours).
Let the soup cool and skim off the layer of fat.
Add egg whites to 250 ml of cold water and stir well. Incorporate into the soup while stirring constantly.
Bring to a boil once again and let simmer until the soup is clear.
Strain through a cheesecloth or kitchen towel. Season if necessary.
In the meantime, prepare the body of the soup by mincing the veal together with a roll that has been lightly soaked in milk. Combine with egg, egg yolks, spices, and a shot of heavy cream. Mix well.
Grease a small pan with butter, sprinkle with bread crumbs, and spread the mixture to a thickness of 1 inch (about the width of a thumb).
Preheat the oven to 350 – 400°F (204°C) and lightly bake for approximately 15 minutes.
Remove immediately from the pan as soon as the mixture has cooled and cut out into any desired shape, such as diamonds or stars. Incorporate into the soup.
Garnish with chopped parsley.

Variations

For a lighter version of this soup, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add diced vegetables such as carrots, celery, and leeks for added flavor and texture.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to skim off the layer of fat that forms on the surface of the soup after simmering the beef and vegetables. This will help to clarify the soup and remove any excess grease.

- When making the veal and bread dumpling, be sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure a smooth and uniform texture. This will help the dumpling hold its shape when cut into pieces.

- To achieve a clear and flavorful consommé, it is important to simmer the soup gently and not let it boil too vigorously. This will help to extract the maximum flavor from the ingredients without clouding the broth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Kaiser Consommé as a starter for a formal dinner or special occasion. Pair it with a crisp green salad or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Cooking Techniques

The key to a clear and flavorful consommé is to simmer the soup gently and not let it boil too vigorously. This will help to extract the maximum flavor from the ingredients without clouding the broth.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are unable to find veal for the dumpling, you can use ground pork or chicken as a substitute. You can also use gluten-free bread or breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version of this dish.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the beef broth and veal dumpling mixture ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the broth and bake the dumpling before adding it to the soup.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Kaiser Consommé in elegant soup bowls garnished with a sprinkle of chopped parsley. You can also add a drizzle of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream for a creamy finish.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Kaiser Consommé with a crisp white wine such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. The light and refreshing flavors of the wine will complement the rich and savory taste of the soup.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply bring the soup to a gentle simmer on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

300 per serving

Carbohydrates

15g per serving

Fats

10g per serving

Proteins

25g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This soup is a good source of iron, vitamin B12, and zinc, which are important for overall health and well-being.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the bread in the veal dumpling. It may also contain dairy from the milk and eggs used in the dumpling mixture.

Summary

Kaiser Consommé is a nutritious and satisfying soup that provides a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and is a great choice for a hearty and flavorful meal.

Summary

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the joy I felt when I first discovered this recipe for Kaiser Consommé. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in the small village of Heidelberg. My grandmother, who was an excellent cook herself, had passed down many recipes to me over the years. But this one was special.

I had always been fascinated by the art of cooking, and I spent hours in the kitchen with my grandmother, watching her work her magic with ingredients and flavors. She had learned many of her recipes from her own mother, who had learned them from her mother before her. It was a long line of tradition that I was eager to continue.

One day, while rummaging through my grandmother's old recipe book, I stumbled upon a worn and faded page that caught my eye. It was a recipe for Kaiser Consommé, a classic German dish that I had never heard of before. Intrigued, I asked my grandmother about it, and she smiled knowingly.

"Ah, Kaiser Consommé," she said, her eyes twinkling with memories. "That was a recipe I learned many years ago from a dear friend of mine, who had learned it from her grandmother. It's a dish fit for a king, my dear, and I think you are ready to learn how to make it."

And so, my grandmother and I set to work, gathering the ingredients and preparing the broth. The key to a good Kaiser Consommé, she told me, was patience and attention to detail. We spent hours simmering the broth, skimming off the impurities, and adding just the right amount of spices and herbs to enhance the flavor.

As the rich aroma of the simmering broth filled the kitchen, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. This was more than just a recipe – it was a connection to the past, a link to generations of women who had come before me, passing down their knowledge and expertise.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the Kaiser Consommé was ready. We strained the broth through a fine sieve, removing any remaining impurities, and garnished it with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. I took a tentative sip, and my taste buds exploded with delight. The flavors were rich and complex, a symphony of savory goodness that danced on my tongue.

My grandmother beamed with pride as she watched me enjoy the dish. "You have done well, my dear," she said, her eyes shining with love. "This is a recipe that has been passed down through generations, and now it is yours to carry on."

And carry on I did. Over the years, I have made Kaiser Consommé for my family and friends, sharing the story of how I learned the recipe from my grandmother. It has become a favorite dish in our household, a symbol of tradition and love that we hold dear.

I often think back to that day in the kitchen with my grandmother, learning the secrets of Kaiser Consommé. It was more than just a recipe – it was a lesson in history, in family, and in the joy of creating something delicious with your own two hands.

And so, as I sit here now, writing this story for you to read, I hope that you will feel the same joy and connection to the past that I felt when I first discovered the recipe for Kaiser Consommé. May it bring you as much happiness and fulfillment as it has brought me.