Vegetable soup with smoked pork and sour cream

Vegetable soup with bacon and sour cream

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Vegetable soup with bacon and sour cream is a comforting dish, perfect for chilly days when we seek not only a nourishing meal but also an explosion of flavors and colors. This simple recipe brings together fresh vegetables, smoked bacon, and creamy sour cream, resulting in a delicious combination that will delight the whole family.

Necessary ingredients:

- 200 g smoked bacon
- 2 large carrots
- 1 small celery
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 large onion
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 1 liter of water
- 200 g cooking sour cream
- 1 bunch of fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons of sunflower oil

Step 1: Preparing the ingredients

Start by chopping the vegetables. Wash the carrots, celery, bell pepper, and potatoes thoroughly. Cut the carrots and celery into small cubes, and the bell pepper into strips. The potatoes can be cut into medium-sized cubes. The onion and garlic should be finely chopped. If you want each bite to be full of flavor, make sure the vegetables are cut evenly, so they cook uniformly.

Step 2: Cooking the bacon

In a large pot, add the oil and the smoked bacon cut into cubes. Sauté the bacon over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until it becomes golden and starts to release its fat. This step is essential to extract the flavors from the bacon and incorporate them into the soup.

Step 3: Boiling the vegetables

Add the chopped onion and garlic cloves to the pot, stirring well. Let them sauté for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent. Then, add the carrots, celery, bell pepper, and potatoes, stirring continuously. After 5 minutes, pour 1 liter of water over the sautéed vegetables. Let the soup simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Step 4: Finalizing the soup

After the vegetables are cooked, add salt and pepper to taste. In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream with a little water from the soup to thin it out, then incorporate the mixture into the pot. This step will add creaminess to the soup and enhance the flavors. Finally, add the chopped fresh dill and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 5: Serving

Serve the soup hot, with a slice of fresh bread or croutons. You can also add a few fresh dill leaves for a pleasant appearance. This soup is not only nourishing but also very versatile; you can experiment with different vegetables based on the season or preferences. For example, add zucchini or green beans for a different texture and taste.

Useful tips:

- If you want a spicier soup, you can add a finely chopped chili pepper.
- Instead of sour cream, you can use Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make sure the bacon is of good quality, as this will significantly influence the taste of the soup.

This recipe for vegetable soup with bacon and sour cream is perfect for impressing your friends or family, offering a healthy and delicious meal. Enjoy!