Bucovina Soup (Rădăuțeană)

Rădăuți Soup – A Traditional Delight in an Attractive Variant

Rădăuți Soup, also known as "false tripe soup," is a recipe that blends tradition with simplicity, bringing to your table a rich, comforting flavor and an unmistakable aroma. This soup is perfect for cool days or for moments when you want to indulge in a warm and hearty dish without using beef tripe. Today, I will guide you step by step on how to prepare this delicious soup, full of vegetables and flavors.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Necessary ingredients:
- 2 pieces of chicken breast (approximately 600 g)
- 2 carrots
- 2 onions
- 1 parsley root
- 1 parsnip
- 1 small celery
- 300 g sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 5 cloves of garlic
- Salt, to taste
- White pepper, to taste
- Vinegar, to taste
- Hot pepper (pickled or fresh)

A bit of history:
Rădăuți Soup comes from the culinary traditions of the region, being a reinterpretation of the famous tripe dish. This more accessible and easier-to-prepare variant has gained popularity due to its refined taste and creamy texture, thanks to the sour cream and eggs. It is a perfect example of comfort food that brings the family together around the table.

Step by Step:

1. Preparing the soup base:
Start by placing the chicken breast in a large pot with cold water and adding salt. This will help extract flavors from the meat. Place the pot over medium heat and wait for it to boil. As the water begins to boil, you will notice foam forming on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove the foam, so the soup remains clear.

2. Adding the vegetables:
After the foam is gone, peel and chop the carrots, onions, parsley root, parsnip, and celery into large pieces. Add these vegetables to the pot and let them boil together with the chicken breast for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables become tender.

3. Straining the soup:
After the vegetables are cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool for a few minutes. Strain the liquid through a sieve, discarding the cooked vegetables.

4. Preparing the vegetable mixture:
Place the cooked vegetables in a blender and puree them until you obtain a fine paste. Combine this paste with the strained liquid back into the pot. Add the thinly sliced (or diced) chicken breast and mix well. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Let the soup boil for another 5-10 minutes until everything is well combined and delicate, and the flavors meld together.

5. Preparing the egg and sour cream mixture:
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the sour cream. Add a ladle of soup from the pot to the egg mixture, stirring constantly to temper the mixture. This will prevent the eggs from curdling when added to the soup.

6. Finishing the soup:
Begin to gradually add the egg and sour cream mixture to the pot, stirring constantly. This step will make the soup creamy and rich.

7. Flavoring with garlic:
In a mortar or with a knife, crush the garlic cloves with a little salt and a bit of water to obtain a garlic paste. You can choose to add the paste directly to the soup or serve it on the side at the table.

8. Serving the soup:
Rădăuți Soup is served hot, with a splash of vinegar to taste, and with pickled or fresh hot pepper for an extra touch of flavor. You can also add croutons or fresh bread to complete the meal.

Practical tips:
- Make sure the chicken breast is fresh to achieve a soup with a more intense flavor.
- If you want a stronger flavor, you can add a few peppercorns or bay leaves during cooking.
- If you prefer, you can replace the chicken breast with turkey meat for an even healthier variant.
- Rădăuți Soup tastes better the next day when the flavors have mingled.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use beef instead of chicken?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time, as beef takes longer to become tender.

2. Is Rădăuți Soup suitable for a vegetarian diet?
No, as it contains meat, but you can adapt the recipe using vegetables and vegetable broth.

3. How can I store the soup for several days?
The soup keeps well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. You can freeze the soup, but I recommend adding the sour cream and eggs just before serving to maintain optimal texture.

Rădăuți Soup is more than just a dish; it is a culinary experience that will remind you of family meals, the comfort of home, and the joy of authentic taste. Try this delicious recipe and share it with your loved ones to create priceless memories!