TEST OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE QUESTION (a) Write three ingredients in making clear soup (consomme). (b) Write five steps in making clear soup (consomme).

Answer Details

(a) Three ingredients for making clear soup (consomme)

• Good quality brown or white stock
• Lean minced beef (used, with egg white, to clarify the soup)
• Egg white (plus mirepoix vegetables such as carrot, onion and celery, and seasoning)

(b) Five steps in making clear soup (consomme)

1. Prepare a good, well-flavoured stock and remove any fat from the surface.
2. Mix the lean minced beef, egg white, finely chopped vegetables and cold stock together in a deep pot.
3. Bring the mixture slowly to the boil while stirring; the beef and egg white rise and form a crust (raft) that traps impurities and clarifies the soup.
4. Stop stirring, reduce the heat and simmer very gently, without boiling, for about one and a half to two hours.
5. Carefully strain the soup through a clean muslin cloth, remove any remaining fat, correct the seasoning and serve hot with a suitable garnish.