1tablespoon(1tablespoon)unbleached all-purpose flour - optional if you want a thicker broth
Instructions
Fry 2 slices thin-sliced bacon. Remove from pan, crumble, and place in crockpot.
Saute 1 pound round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes, in remaining bacon grease over high heat until browned. Do this in small batches so the skillet doesn't cool down. Place browned steak in a slow cooker.
Saute 1 cup chopped onions and 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced in a medium skillet. Add to the slow cooker.
Add 5 cups water, 1 tablespoon beef bouillon concentrate, 1 tablespoon Kitchen Bouquet, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 bay leaf, and Freshly ground black pepper to the slow cooker and stir.
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. Ensure the soup is no longer boiling before moving to the next step.
Remove about 1 cup broth from the soup and whisk 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream into it until smooth. (If you like your broth thicker, add 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour to the cream and stir until there are no more lumps.) Add to the slow cooker and stir until slightly thickened if you added flour. Do not let the soup boil after you put the yogurt or sour cream into the soup.
Remove bay leaf before serving.
Notes
To make this soup on top of the stoveFry the bacon in a Dutch oven. Remove the bacon and brown the beef in small batches, removing each batch after it browns. Sauté the onions and mushrooms in the Dutch oven. Add bacon and meat back to the pot and proceed with step 4. Cook until the meat is tender. Proceed with step 6 as directed.