This is really an invalid soup and is incredibly restorative. If you don't like red meat, it can be made with chicken.

1 pound piece beef, trimmed of all fat and deeply sliced and scored. Place in the top of a double boiler. Cover the meat with cold water to a depth of 1/2-inch. Cover the pot and place over about an inch of water in the bottom of the double boiler.

Bring all to a boil and simmer gently for several hours, being careful that the bottom does not boil dry. The resulting broth will be quite strong. If you don't like the solids floating in it, strain it through a cheesecloth. Season and serve in a cup with plain toast. If more flavor is wanted, a small onion can be grated into the broth and brought to a boil.