Fricassée soup

Frecatei soup is a traditional Romanian dish, comforting and savory, perfect for cool days or to bring a touch of nostalgia to your soul. This simple soup recipe is not only nourishing but also easy to make, bringing an authentic taste to your table. I will guide you step by step to achieve a delicious soup with fluffy frecatei that will delight everyone.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Ingredients for the soup:
- 1 beef shank (about 1 kg)
- 3-4 medium potatoes
- 2 onions
- 2 carrots
- 2 parsnips
- 1 small celery
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- sour cream for serving (optional)

Ingredients for frecatei:
- 150 g flour
- 3 eggs
- a pinch of salt

Preparing the soup:

1. Cleaning and preparing the beef shank: Start by thoroughly cleaning the beef shank, removing any skin or excess fat. Rinse it under cold running water, then place it in a large pot. Add enough cold water to cover the meat and a teaspoon of salt.

2. Boiling the meat: Place the pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. During boiling, foam will form on the surface; remove it with a skimmer to obtain a clear and clean soup.

3. Adding the vegetables: After about 30 minutes of boiling, add the whole onion (peeled), carrots, parsnip, and celery cut into large pieces. These vegetables will add flavor to your soup. Continue to simmer everything together on low heat for 30 minutes.

4. Potatoes: At the end of the cooking time, add the peeled and diced potatoes. Boil until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

5. Seasoning the soup: In the last few minutes, add salt, pepper to taste, and finely chopped parsley to give the soup a fresh touch.

Preparing the frecatei:

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a bowl, place the flour and add the 3 eggs. Add a pinch of salt and mix well with a spatula or whisk until you obtain a smooth and easy-to-shape dough. If the dough is too soft, you can add a little more flour.

2. Boiling the frecatei: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil. Using a spoon, take portions of the dough and shape small balls or frecatei, which you will add to the boiling water. Boil the frecatei until they rise to the surface, which takes about 5-7 minutes.

3. Adding the frecatei to the soup: Once the frecatei are ready, remove them with a skimmer and add them to the hot soup. Let everything boil together for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Serving the soup:

Frecatei soup is delicious served hot, with a spoonful of sour cream added to each bowl for extra creaminess. You can garnish with fresh parsley leaves for a more attractive appearance. Add a squeeze of lemon for a more vibrant taste, or add spices like sweet paprika or garlic for a unique touch.

Vegan option: If you want to make a vegetarian version of this soup, you can replace the beef shank with a mix of protein-rich vegetables, such as lentils or chickpeas, and omit the eggs from the frecatei, using chickpea flour and water instead.

This frecatei soup is not only a tasty dish but also a vivid memory of childhood for many of us. Enjoy every bite and savor the moments spent with loved ones!