Hearty Russian Solyanka Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed
• 200g (7 oz) smoked sausage, sliced 200g (7 oz) smoked sausage, sliced
• 200g (7 oz) cooked ham, diced 200g (7 oz) cooked ham, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 pickles, sliced 2 pickles, sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) pitted green olives 100g (3.5 oz) pitted green olives
• 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
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried dill 1 teaspoon dried dill
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Sour cream and fresh dill for garnish Sour cream and fresh dill for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and brown them on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and dried dill, and cook for another minute.
4. 4.
   Add the smoked sausage, ham, pickles, olives, bell peppers, and tomatoes to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover all the ingredients.
5. 5.
   Add the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Solyanka soup hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — For a more tender result, choose a cut of beef that is suitable for slow cooking, such as chuck or stewing beef.
• Smoked sausage — Opt for a high-quality smoked sausage with robust flavors to enhance the overall taste of the soup.
• Pickles — Use dill pickles for an authentic Russian touch, but feel free to experiment with other types of pickles for a different twist.
• Olives — Use pitted green olives to add a tangy and briny flavor to the soup.
• Tomatoes — If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can substitute with canned diced tomatoes.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the smoky flavor, you can add a small amount of liquid smoke to the soup.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Solyanka soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.
• Serve the soup with a side of sourdough bread or Russian black bread for a complete meal.
• Feel free to customize the ingredients based on your preferences, such as adding mushrooms or different types of meat.

Serving advice

Serve the Solyanka soup hot in individual bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill. Accompany the soup with a slice of crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

When serving the Solyanka soup, make sure to showcase the vibrant colors of the ingredients. Use a deep bowl to hold the chunky soup and garnish it with a generous amount of sour cream and fresh dill on top. Serve with a slice of bread on the side for a visually appealing presentation.