Classic Russian Shchi Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 pound (450g) beef stew meat, cubed 1 pound (450g) beef stew meat, cubed
• 4 cups (950ml) beef or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) beef or vegetable broth
• 1 small head of cabbage, shredded 1 small head of cabbage, shredded
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried dill 1 teaspoon dried dill
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream, for serving 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream, for serving
• Fresh dill, for garnish Fresh dill, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 6g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
2. 2.
   Add the beef stew meat to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Pour in the beef or vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.
4. 4.
   Add the shredded cabbage, diced potatoes, bay leaves, and dried dill to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cabbage and potatoes are cooked through.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Serve the Shchi hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cabbage — Make sure to shred the cabbage finely to ensure it cooks evenly and blends well with the other ingredients.
• Beef stew meat — For a more tender result, you can marinate the meat in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before cooking.
• Sour cream — Use full-fat sour cream for a rich and creamy flavor. You can also substitute it with Greek yogurt if desired.
• Fresh dill — Add the fresh dill just before serving to preserve its vibrant flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To add a smoky flavor, you can include a small amount of smoked bacon or ham in the soup.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead.
• Serve the Shchi with a side of crusty bread or Russian black bread for a complete meal.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables in the soup based on your preferences or seasonal availability.

Serving advice

Serve the Shchi soup hot in individual bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill for added flavor and presentation.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, serve the Shchi soup in traditional Russian soup bowls or deep plates. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill and serve with a slice of crusty bread on the side.