Vegetable beef soup appears among Clinton’s recorded favourites. We turn that connection into a thicker stew, keeping beef and vegetables together in a substantial one-pot dinner.
The president & the table
In 1998, Clinton named chicken enchiladas as a favourite dish. His archived White House biography also lists enchiladas and vegetable beef soup, while accounts from the Arkansas governor’s residence describe the chicken, chillies, tomatoes and cheese used in his meals.
Behind this story
Clinton’s 1998 remarks and archived White House favourite-food information; Arkansas residence cook’s recollections.
APRON ON. HISTORY CAN WAIT.
Make it at home.
Our home adaptation · Serves 6 · Not yet kitchen-tested
What you’ll need
Let’s make it
Pat beef dry, season with salt and pepper and dust with flour. Brown in oil in a heavy pot in batches, then remove.
Soften onions for 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste for 1 minute, then add stock, thyme, bay and beef. Scrape the base.
Cover and simmer very gently for 1½ hours. Add carrots and potatoes and simmer 40–50 minutes more, until beef and vegetables are tender.
Remove bay leaves. Simmer uncovered briefly if the gravy needs thickening, then taste for seasoning.
About this home version
A modern home recipe with practical ingredients and measured quantities.
Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.
