Bean soup with smoked sausages

Smoked Sausage Sour Soup - A Culinary Treasure for the Holidays

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Servings: 4-6

If winter entices you with its aromas, then smoked sausage sour soup is the perfect recipe to bring warmth and comfort on chilly days. This hearty soup is a true culinary tradition, combining the rich flavor of meat with the pleasant acidity of sour cabbage juice. Prepared with love and attention to detail, sour soup is ideal for pampering your loved ones, especially during the winter holidays.

A Brief History of Sour Soup

Sour soup is a recipe rooted in winter culinary traditions. Often used in rural households, the soup was prepared to nourish and strengthen the household after long days of work, as well as to gather everyone around the table. Sour juice, the juice of sour cabbage, is not only an essential ingredient but also a symbol of vegetable preservation and traditional cooking.

Ingredients

- 1 meter of homemade smoked sausage (or more, depending on preferences)
- 1.5 liters of sour juice (sour cabbage juice)
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 parsley roots, diced
- 1 slice of celery, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of hot pepper paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons of rice
- 300 ml sour cream
- Green onion tops for decoration
- Dried thyme and dill (optional)
- Salt (optional, to taste)

Necessary Utensils

- Large pot for boiling
- Small pot for sour juice
- Skimmer (for skimming)
- Knife and cutting board
- Wooden spoon

Preparing Sour Soup

1. Preparing the Vegetables: Start by cleaning and washing all the vegetables. Carrots, parsley, and celery are diced into approximately 1 cm cubes. The onion is finely chopped.

2. Boiling the Vegetables: In a large pot, add 1.5 liters of water and the prepared vegetables. Place the pot over medium heat and let it boil for 10 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.

3. Preparing the Sour Juice: In another pot, pour the sour juice (cabbage juice) and add the herbs and bay leaf. Put it on the heat and let it come to a boil, then remove it from the heat. This step is important to extract the flavors from the herbs.

4. Blanching the Sausages: If the sausages are very smoky, blanch them in hot water, then drain the water. This step helps reduce the intensity of the smoke.

5. Adding Ingredients: After the vegetables have boiled for 10 minutes, add the rice and hot pepper paste. Let it boil together for another 5 minutes.

6. Combining the Flavors: Remove the thyme, dill, and bay leaf from the sour juice. Add the sour juice to the pot with the boiled vegetables, along with the sausages cut into slices.

7. Final Boiling: Reduce the boiling intensity to avoid breaking the sausages. Let it boil for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. Adding the Sour Cream: In a separate bowl, dilute the sour cream with a few tablespoons of warm soup. Then, add the sour cream mixture to the pot with the soup, stirring gently to avoid lumps.

9. Tasting and Adjustments: Taste the soup. Usually, there is no need to add salt, but if you think it's necessary, add a little salt or, if the soup is too salty, you can add a cup of water.

10. Serving and Decorating: When serving, decorate the soup with fresh green onion tops for an extra touch of freshness and a pleasant appearance.

Practical Tips

- Ingredients: Use homemade sausages for an authentic taste. If you don't have access to smoked sausages, you can use commercial sausages, but we recommend choosing quality options.
- Sour Juice: Cabbage juice can be made at home by fermenting chopped cabbage, but a store-bought version can be just as good.
- Variations: You can add vegetables such as potatoes or fresh cabbage to vary the textures and flavors of the soup.
- Serving: This soup pairs wonderfully with fresh homemade bread or polenta, and a glass of red wine or craft beer can perfectly complement the meal.

Nutritional Benefits

Sour soup is an excellent source of protein from the sausages and fiber from the vegetables. Additionally, cabbage juice provides probiotics, contributing to digestive health. It is a nourishing soup, perfect for recharging after festive days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pork instead of sausages?
Yes, you can add pieces of pork or even beef, adjusting the cooking time depending on the type of meat used.

Can sour soup be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze sour soup, but it is recommended to add the sour cream after thawing to maintain a creamy texture.

How can I avoid a too salty taste?
Be careful with the amount of salt added, especially if you use smoked sausages that already contain salt. Taste throughout the preparation.

I conclude with a wish for good appetite! Smoked sausage sour soup is not just a recipe, but a tradition that brings the family together, offering warmth and unforgettable flavors in every bowl. Prepare it with love and share the joy of the meal with your loved ones!