Smoked Meat and Lettuce Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) smoked meat (such as smoked ham or bacon) 500g (1.1 lb) smoked meat (such as smoked ham or bacon)
• 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 head of lettuce, shredded 1 head of lettuce, shredded
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Sour cream (optional, for serving) Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the smoked meat to the pot and cook for a few minutes until it starts to release its smoky aroma.
3. 3.
   Add the diced carrots and potatoes to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients in the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Add the shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Smoked Meat and Lettuce Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Optionally, add a dollop of sour cream on top for extra creaminess.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Smoked meat — If you prefer a stronger smoky flavor, you can use a more intensely smoked meat variety. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat is tender.
• Lettuce — Choose a crisp and fresh lettuce variety, such as romaine or iceberg, for the best texture in the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier soup, you can add other vegetables like bell peppers or celery.
• If you prefer a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding the lettuce and tomatoes.
• Serve the soup with crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Smoked Meat and Lettuce Soup as a main course, accompanied by a slice of crusty bread. Optionally, top each serving with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve the soup in deep bowls to showcase the vibrant green lettuce leaves.