Biltong Soup

Traditionally South African, perfect for the cold, biltong soup is just what you need for dinner!

Serves:  8

INGREDIENTS:

• 125 ml butter 
• 2 beef stock cubes 
• 10 ml coarsely ground black pepper 
• 2 ml whole nutmeg, grated 
• 2 ml freshly ground coriander 
• 250 ml cake flour 
• 500 ml milk 
• 2 litre boiling water 
• 250 ml coarsely grated Cheddar cheese 
• 300 g finely sliced moist biltong 
• cream and port to taste 
• 100 g grated blue cheese (optional – i like to grate over some parmesan or matured cheddar)
• bread sticks or toast slices for serving
  

METHOD:

• Melt the butter in a heavy-based saucepan.
• Crumble the stock cubes and add along with the spices.
• Add the flour and heat, stirring continually until the flour begins to simmer.
• Mix the milk and boiling water, and slowly stir into the flour mixture.
• Stirring continually, heat slowly over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken (like a white sauce).
• Remove from the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese and half the biltong. Do not bring the mixture to boil again.
• Keep warm until ready to serve.
• Stir in a little cream and port just before serving if desired.
• Ladle the hot soup into deep soup bowls and scatter a little of the remaining biltong and crumbled blue cheese on top.
• Serve with bread sticks.