Hearty Beef and Lentil Soup

Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a substantial cooking vessel over an elevated heat setting until it reaches a smoky state.

Prepare the beef by sprinkling it with salt and pepper, then carefully introduce it to the pot until it develops a rich brown color on all sides, approximately 8 minutes. Set the beef aside and reserve the remaining oil in the pot.

Introduce a variety of aromatics, including onion, carrots, celery, garlic, cilantro, and oregano, to the pot. Stir constantly until the onion has softened and turned a translucent hue, roughly 8 minutes.

Add chicken broth and tomatoes to the pot, then return the beef to its original position and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over an extremely high heat setting. Gradually decrease the heat to a low-moderate level, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer until the beef begins to exhibit tender signs, approximately 1 hour.

Add lentils to the pot and continue to simmer with the lid in place until they have achieved a tender consistency, roughly 40 minutes. Re-season the dish with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in a handful of parsley. Finish by sprinkling a generous amount of Parmesan cheese over the top.