Offal soup is a traditional delicacy, a dish that brings together the rich flavors of meat and fresh vegetables, offering not only a remarkable taste but also a comforting experience. This recipe, with deep roots in folk cuisine, is perfect for cool days but can be enjoyed anytime. I invite you to discover with me how to prepare a delicious offal soup, step by step, so that you achieve a perfect result, worthy of the most beautiful family meals.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1 kg turkey, goose, duck, or chicken meat (necks, heads, wings, back)
- 200 g sweet cabbage
- 2 onions
- 2-3 potatoes
- 1 carrot
- 1 parsnip
- 1/2 zucchini
- 1 red bell pepper
- 3-4 tomatoes
- A few sprigs of parsley
- 1 bunch of lovage
- 50 g ketchup
- 30 ml oil
- 1.5 liters borscht (or 1 packet of concentrated magic borscht)
- 2 cubes/teaspoons chicken/mushroom concentrate
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg yolk and sour cream for dressing
- Vinegar or cabbage juice for souring (to taste)
Step 1: Preparing the meat
The first step in making this soup is to deal with the meat. Wash 1 kg of turkey, goose, duck, or chicken well. Choose fattier or bony parts, as these will add a deep flavor to the soup. Place the meat in a pot with 1.5 liters of cold water, add a little salt, and let it boil over medium heat. When the water starts to boil, remember to remove the foam that forms on the surface to obtain a clear and aromatic broth.
Step 2: Preparing the vegetables
While the meat is boiling, prepare the vegetables. Peel and dice the carrot, parsnip, bell pepper, and zucchini into small cubes. The potatoes can be cut into larger pieces to maintain their consistency. After peeling the tomatoes, slice them. Chop the sweet cabbage and onion finely. These vegetables will not only enrich the soup with flavors but will also add a pleasant texture.
Step 3: Cooking the vegetables
In a larger pot, add 30 ml of oil and sauté the carrot and parsnip for a few minutes until they become slightly translucent. Add the onion and red bell pepper, continuing to sauté. Then add the cabbage and zucchini, and finally, the potatoes and tomatoes. This sautéing technique will intensify the flavors of the vegetables and add extra taste to the soup.
Step 4: Combining the ingredients
After the vegetables have cooled slightly, add 1 liter of water, ketchup, chicken or mushroom concentrate, sugar, chopped parsley, and lovage. Let the mixture simmer on low heat, covered, for about 30 minutes, so that the vegetables become tender and the flavors combine.
Step 5: Finishing the soup
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the meat and the broth it was boiled in. Then, bring the borscht to a boil in a separate pot and gradually add it to the soup. Let the soup simmer for another 30 minutes on low heat. In the meantime, check and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Dressing the soup
For added creaminess, in a bowl, mix the egg yolk with 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream. Take a ladle of hot soup and gradually add it to the bowl, stirring gently to avoid curdling the yolk. Once you have a homogeneous mixture, pour it back into the soup. Garnish with fresh lovage leaves.
Serving suggestions
Offal soup can be served with a slice of fresh homemade bread or polenta. If desired, you can add vinegar or cabbage juice to enhance acidity, according to your preferences.
Tips and variations
For a spicier version, you can add a few slices of hot pepper. Additionally, if you want a vegetarian version, you can replace the meat with mushrooms and add a wider variety of seasonal vegetables.
Nutritional benefits
Offal soup is rich in protein due to the meat, while the vegetables provide a considerable amount of vitamins and minerals. This is a healthy, hearty meal ideal for boosting the immune system, especially in cold seasons.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use frozen meat? Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely before adding it to the water.
- How long can the soup be stored? Offal soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for later use.
- How can I make the soup more sour? You can add more borscht or cabbage juice, to taste.
Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is for you to start cooking! This offal soup will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones and turn any meal into a special moment. Enjoy your meal!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1 kg turkey, goose, duck, or chicken meat (necks, heads, wings, back)
- 200 g sweet cabbage
- 2 onions
- 2-3 potatoes
- 1 carrot
- 1 parsnip
- 1/2 zucchini
- 1 red bell pepper
- 3-4 tomatoes
- A few sprigs of parsley
- 1 bunch of lovage
- 50 g ketchup
- 30 ml oil
- 1.5 liters borscht (or 1 packet of concentrated magic borscht)
- 2 cubes/teaspoons chicken/mushroom concentrate
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg yolk and sour cream for dressing
- Vinegar or cabbage juice for souring (to taste)
Step 1: Preparing the meat
The first step in making this soup is to deal with the meat. Wash 1 kg of turkey, goose, duck, or chicken well. Choose fattier or bony parts, as these will add a deep flavor to the soup. Place the meat in a pot with 1.5 liters of cold water, add a little salt, and let it boil over medium heat. When the water starts to boil, remember to remove the foam that forms on the surface to obtain a clear and aromatic broth.
Step 2: Preparing the vegetables
While the meat is boiling, prepare the vegetables. Peel and dice the carrot, parsnip, bell pepper, and zucchini into small cubes. The potatoes can be cut into larger pieces to maintain their consistency. After peeling the tomatoes, slice them. Chop the sweet cabbage and onion finely. These vegetables will not only enrich the soup with flavors but will also add a pleasant texture.
Step 3: Cooking the vegetables
In a larger pot, add 30 ml of oil and sauté the carrot and parsnip for a few minutes until they become slightly translucent. Add the onion and red bell pepper, continuing to sauté. Then add the cabbage and zucchini, and finally, the potatoes and tomatoes. This sautéing technique will intensify the flavors of the vegetables and add extra taste to the soup.
Step 4: Combining the ingredients
After the vegetables have cooled slightly, add 1 liter of water, ketchup, chicken or mushroom concentrate, sugar, chopped parsley, and lovage. Let the mixture simmer on low heat, covered, for about 30 minutes, so that the vegetables become tender and the flavors combine.
Step 5: Finishing the soup
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the meat and the broth it was boiled in. Then, bring the borscht to a boil in a separate pot and gradually add it to the soup. Let the soup simmer for another 30 minutes on low heat. In the meantime, check and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Dressing the soup
For added creaminess, in a bowl, mix the egg yolk with 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream. Take a ladle of hot soup and gradually add it to the bowl, stirring gently to avoid curdling the yolk. Once you have a homogeneous mixture, pour it back into the soup. Garnish with fresh lovage leaves.
Serving suggestions
Offal soup can be served with a slice of fresh homemade bread or polenta. If desired, you can add vinegar or cabbage juice to enhance acidity, according to your preferences.
Tips and variations
For a spicier version, you can add a few slices of hot pepper. Additionally, if you want a vegetarian version, you can replace the meat with mushrooms and add a wider variety of seasonal vegetables.
Nutritional benefits
Offal soup is rich in protein due to the meat, while the vegetables provide a considerable amount of vitamins and minerals. This is a healthy, hearty meal ideal for boosting the immune system, especially in cold seasons.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use frozen meat? Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely before adding it to the water.
- How long can the soup be stored? Offal soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for later use.
- How can I make the soup more sour? You can add more borscht or cabbage juice, to taste.
Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is for you to start cooking! This offal soup will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones and turn any meal into a special moment. Enjoy your meal!