Hearty Romanian Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 small cabbage, shredded 1 small cabbage, shredded
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) fermented brine or juice of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons (30ml) fermented brine or juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley and dill, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley and dill, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add diced onion and sliced carrots to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
3. 3.
   Add cubed potatoes and shredded cabbage to the pot. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and water. Bring to a boil.
5. 5.
   Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.
6. 6.
   Stir in the fermented brine or lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
7. 7.
   Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and dill before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes to ensure they cook at the same rate.
• Cabbage — Shred the cabbage finely for a better texture in the soup.
• Fermented brine or lemon juice — If you prefer a milder sourness, start with a smaller amount and adjust according to your taste.
• Fresh herbs — Adding the chopped herbs at the end of cooking will preserve their vibrant flavors.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, you can add some cooked beans or chunks of smoked sausage.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.
• If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the cooked vegetables before adding the sourness.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables according to your preference or seasonal availability.

Serving advice

Serve the Ciorbă ţărănească hot in bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can drizzle a swirl of olive oil on top of the soup and sprinkle some paprika for a pop of color. Serve it in rustic-style bowls for an authentic touch.