Delicious Danube Fish Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed freshwater fish fillets (carp, pike, perch) 500g (1.1 lb) mixed freshwater fish fillets (carp, pike, perch)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 liter (4 cups) fish or vegetable broth 1 liter (4 cups) fish or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 200ml (3/4 cup) sour cream 200ml (3/4 cup) sour cream
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh dill, for garnish Fresh dill, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 6g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced carrots, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
3. 3.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the fish fillets to the pot and pour in the fish or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and sour cream until smooth. Gradually add a ladleful of the hot broth to the sour cream mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
6. 6.
   Slowly pour the sour cream mixture into the pot, stirring well to incorporate. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to thicken the soup.
7. 7.
   Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve the Ciorbă de pește "ca-n Deltă" hot, garnished with fresh dill. Enjoy with a slice of crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish fillets — Ensure that the fish fillets are fresh and free from any strong odors. If desired, you can marinate the fish in lemon juice for 30 minutes before adding it to the soup for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the soup.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can increase the amount of flour and sour cream in the recipe.
• Experiment with different types of freshwater fish to find your favorite combination of flavors.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream on top for an extra creamy touch.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify over time.

Serving advice

Serve the Ciorbă de pește "ca-n Deltă" hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. Garnish each bowl with a generous amount of fresh dill for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Ciorbă de pește "ca-n Deltă", consider serving it in traditional Romanian ceramic bowls or rustic earthenware. Sprinkle some additional fresh dill on top of each bowl for an elegant touch. Pair it with a glass of chilled white wine to complement the flavors of the soup.