Ciorbă de Oase with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900g) meaty beef bones 2 lbs (900g) meaty beef bones
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 parsnips, peeled and diced 2 parsnips, peeled and diced
• 2 turnips, peeled and diced 2 turnips, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or dill for garnish Fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the beef bones on a baking sheet and roast them for 30 minutes until they are browned and fragrant.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, parsnips, turnips, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic and tomato paste to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables.
4. 4.
   Pour in enough water to cover the vegetables and add the roasted beef bones and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface.
5. 5.
   Once the soup has simmered, remove the bones and bay leaves from the pot. Shred any meat from the bones and return it to the soup.
6. 6.
   Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Serve the Ciorbă de Oase hot, garnished with fresh parsley or dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef bones — Roasting the bones before adding them to the soup enhances their flavor and adds depth to the broth.
• Lemon juice — Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your preference for tanginess. Add more if you prefer a more pronounced sour taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker soup, you can add a tablespoon of flour mixed with water to the pot during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Customize the soup by adding other vegetables such as potatoes or cabbage.
• Serve the Ciorbă de Oase with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.
• Make a larger batch of bone broth and freeze it in portions for future use in soups and stews.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve the Ciorbă de Oase as a main course accompanied by crusty bread or traditional Romanian cornmeal polenta (mămăligă). It pairs well with a fresh green salad on the side.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of Ciorbă de Oase with a sprig of fresh parsley or dill to add a pop of color. Serve the soup in rustic ceramic bowls for an authentic Romanian touch.