Vegetable Ciorbă - A Hearty Romanian Delight

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced 1 zucchini, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
• 1 cup (240ml) sour cream 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh dill, chopped 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 10g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced carrots, potatoes, bell pepper, and zucchini to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. 3.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste and lemon juice until well combined. Add this mixture to the pot and stir well.
6. 6.
   Remove the pot from heat and gradually stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
7. 7.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the fresh dill and parsley.
8. 8.
   Serve hot and garnish with additional fresh herbs, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomatoes — Choose ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Sour cream — Opt for full-fat sour cream to achieve a creamy and rich consistency in the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, you can add cooked beans or lentils to the soup.
• Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your preference for tanginess.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavor.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on what's in season or your personal preferences.

Serving advice

Serve the Vegetable Ciorbă hot in bowls, accompanied by crusty bread or traditional Romanian cornmeal polenta (mămăligă) for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of Vegetable Ciorbă with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprig of fresh dill or parsley to enhance its visual appeal.