Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 303kcal
Ingredients
- 10 ounces carne seca (salted dried beef) desalted
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 1/2 cups peeled cubed pumpkin or kabocha squash
- 4 1/2 cups cauliflower florets
- 4 cups chicken bone broth or water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sliced scallion greens
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the carne seca in cold water in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours, changing the water 3 or 4 times. Cut into chunks, cover with fresh water in a pot (or pressure cooker) and simmer until very tender, about 45 minutes (20 minutes under pressure). Drain and shred finely.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add the pumpkin, cauliflower and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, until everything is very soft.
- Blend until completely smooth, stir in the cream and season with pepper and salt, going easy on the salt since the beef is salty.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the shredded carne seca, stirring, for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and crisp at the edges.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and pile the crispy beef in the center. Finish with scallion greens.
Notes
Desalting carne seca properly takes time, so plan ahead. Taste a small piece after soaking; it should be pleasantly salty, not harsh. If you cannot find carne seca, use leftover pot roast or shredded beef brisket, crisped the same way.
Chef's Tip: Fry a few thin onion slices with the carne seca until golden. It is the classic Brazilian way to finish shredded beef.
Keto Swap: This soup is often made with only pumpkin and sometimes thickened with potato. Replacing more than half the pumpkin with cauliflower keeps the bright orange color and sweetness at a keto-friendly level.
Success Tip: Serve the crispy beef in a separate bowl so everyone can add as much as they like. Kids often prefer the soup topped with grated cheese instead.
Nutrition is calculated from the ingredients and is an estimate per serving. Net carbs exclude fiber and allulose.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 303kcal | Protein: 20g | Fat: 22g | Fiber: 2g
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