Catalan soup

serves 6

ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
900g/2lb beef mince
2 carrots, chopped
2 onions, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
25g/1oz plain flour
1.2 litres/2pt hot vegetable stock

• Heat the oil in a flameproof
casserole dish over a medium heat.
Sauté the beef until it is just
cooked, then remove and keep to
one side. Sauté the carrots, onions
and tomatoes in the same pan for
a few minutes, stirring continuously
to prevent sticking.

• Blend in the flour using a wooden
spoon, and cook for a few more
minutes. Return the cooked mince
to the casserole.

• Cover the mixture with the hot
stock, and simmer the soup gently
for about 45 minutes. Serve hot.